Jamaica News API

Supported Countries - 165

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Angola

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Bermuda

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia And Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Chile

China

Colombia

Comoros

Congo

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

DR Congo

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Estonia

Ethiopia

Fiji

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Gabon

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Guatemala

Guinea

Haiti

Honduras

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Ivory Coast

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Libya

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macedonia

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mexico

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Nepal

Netherland

New Zealand

Niger

Nigeria

North Korea

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palestine

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Qatar

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

Samoa

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Thailand

Tonga

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States Of America

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Vietnam

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Get headlines from Jamaica with our JSON API.

🔑 Get API key for the Jamaica News API

Country Parameter

The country paramter for the Jamaica is JM.

Some example queries:

Below is the search query to fetch random 100 news-sources of Jamaica.

https://newsdata.io/api/1/sources?country=jm&apikey=YOUR_API_KEY

Some of the well known sources

Live Example

This example demonstrates the HTTP request to make, and the JSON response you will receive, when you use the News API to get headlines from Jamaica.

Headlines from Jamaica

https://newsdata.io/api/1/latest?country=jm&apikey=YOUR_API_KEY

{
  • "status": "success",
  • "totalResults": 1942,
  • -
    "results": [
    • -
      {
      • "article_id": "dd0e4fc384e27d43e6f9834123bdef55",
      • "title": "TikTok fined 530 million euros in EU over China data transfer",
      • "link": "https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/05/02/tiktok-fined-530-million-euros-eu-china-data-transfer/",
      • "keywords": null,
      • "creator": null,
      • "description": "Dublin, Ireland (AFP)-TikTok was hit with a massive EU fine of 530 million euros ($600 million) Friday, accused of sending personal data of Europeans to China and failing to guarantee it was shielded from access by Chinese authorities.The Chinese-owned social media giant, which is also in the crosshairs of the United States, acknowledged during a probe that it has hosted European data in China, contrary to a previous denial, according go Ireland's data protection watchdog.One of the largest fines ever imposed by the authority followed a probe into the lawfulness of data transfers by TikTok.In 2023 Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) fined TikTok -- which has 1.5 billion users worldwide -- 345 million euros for breaches of European rules on processing child data.As TikTok -- a division of Chinese tech giant ByteDance -- has its European headquarters in Ireland, the Irish authority is the lead regulator in Europe for the social platform, as well as others like Google, Meta and X.\"TikTok failed to verify, guarantee and demonstrate that the personal data of (European) users, remotely accessed by staff in China, was afforded a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU,\" said DPC deputy commissioner Graham Doyle.\"TikTok did not address potential access by Chinese authorities to (Europeans') personal data under Chinese anti-terrorism, counter-espionage and other laws identified by TikTok as materially diverging from EU standards,\" Doyle said in a statement.TikTok said it planned to appeal the EU fine, insisting it had \"never received a request\" from Chinese authorities for European users' data.\"(TikTok) has never provided European user data to them,\" Christine Grahn of TikTok Europe said. \"We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal it in full.\"The social media giant has been in the crosshairs of Western government for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes.",
      • "content": "Dublin, Ireland (AFP)-TikTok was hit with a massive EU fine of 530 million euros ($600 million) Friday, accused of sending personal data of Europeans to China and failing to guarantee it was shielded from access by Chinese authorities. The Chinese-owned social media giant, which is also in the crosshairs of the United States, acknowledged during a probe that it has hosted European data in China, contrary to a previous denial, according go Ireland’s data protection watchdog. One of the largest fines ever imposed by the authority followed a probe into the lawfulness of data transfers by TikTok. In 2023 Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) fined TikTok — which has 1.5 billion users worldwide — 345 million euros for breaches of European rules on processing child data. As TikTok — a division of Chinese tech giant ByteDance — has its European headquarters in Ireland, the Irish authority is the lead regulator in Europe for the social platform, as well as others like Google, Meta and X. “TikTok failed to verify, guarantee and demonstrate that the personal data of (European) users, remotely accessed by staff in China, was afforded a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU,” said DPC deputy commissioner Graham Doyle. “TikTok did not address potential access by Chinese authorities to (Europeans’) personal data under Chinese anti-terrorism, counter-espionage and other laws identified by TikTok as materially diverging from EU standards,” Doyle said in a statement. TikTok said it planned to appeal the EU fine, insisting it had “never received a request” from Chinese authorities for European users’ data. “(TikTok) has never provided European user data to them,” Christine Grahn of TikTok Europe said. “We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal it in full.” The social media giant has been in the crosshairs of Western government for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 12:04:06",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/05/000_449X7G3-1024x683.jpg",
      • "video_url": null,
      • "source_id": "jamaicaobserver",
      • "source_name": "Jamaica Observer",
      • "source_priority": 14529,
      • "source_url": "https://www.jamaicaobserver.com",
      • "source_icon": "https://i.bytvi.com/domain_icons/jamaicaobserver.png",
      • "language": "english",
      • -
        "country": [
        • "jamaica"
        ],
      • -
        "category": [
        • "top"
        ],
      • "sentiment": "negative",
      • -
        "sentiment_stats": {},
      • -
        "ai_tag": [
        • "law and justice"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_region": [
        • "dublin,leinster,ireland,europe",
        • "ireland,indiana,united states of america,north america",
        • "china,asia"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_org": [
        • "tiktok",
        • "afp"
        ],
      • "duplicate": false
      },
    • -
      {},
    • -
      {
      • "article_id": "c311f609ee8dd8e195bb9ebc907e51e8",
      • "title": "Trump orders funding cuts for US public broadcasters PBS, NPR",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/trump-orders-funding-cuts-for-us-public-broadcasters-pbs-npr/",
      • -
        "keywords": [
        • "world news"
        ],
      • -
        "creator": [
        • ""
        ],
      • "description": "President Donald Trump has signed an executive order slashing subsidies to two United States public broadcasters. Trump ...",
      • "content": "President Donald Trump has signed an executive order slashing subsidies to two United States public broadcasters.Trump issued the order to halt federal funding to PBS and NPR late on Thursday, accusing them of biased reporting and spreading “left-wing” propaganda.list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump’s 100-day scorecard: Executive orders, tariffs and foreign policylist 2 of 3‘Hands Off’ protesters rally across US to oppose Trump’s policieslist 3 of 3Fact-checking Trump’s claims at 100-day rally in Michiganend of listThe order is the US president’s latest bid to halt government funding of media he considers unfriendly to his administration. It comes as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned of an “alarming deterioration in press freedom”.In a social media post, the White House accused the outlets of receiving millions from taxpayers “to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news’”.Trump directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which distributes government funding to media, to “cancel existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and ... decline ... future funding”.He also demanded that it root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organisations, endangering their future existence.According to reports, CPB provide PBS and NPR with roughly half a billion dollars in financing annually, but they also rely heavily on private donations.AdvertisementIt is not clear how much of an immediate effect the order will have on the outlets, which are typically funded two years in advance by Congress in order to protect them from political influence.Last Month, Paula Kerger, PBS’s CEO and president, warned that cuts in funding would “disrupt the essential service” of the outlet.It has also been reported that the White House has asked Congress to rescind funding for the CPB, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967 that is responsible for administering the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting.As part of a broad campaign to cut federal spending, Trump has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to artists, libraries, museums and theatres since taking office in January. He has also threatened to withhold federal research and education funds from universities.Media has been a significant target. In March, Trump sought to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.However, federal courts called out the administration, saying that in it was overstepping its authority in seeking to hold back funds appropriated by Congress.Critics slammed the bid to shutter the outlets, which broadcast in many foreign states with authoritarian regimes that suppress media freedom, as a gift to US enemies.However, concerns over media independence in the US are rising since Trump returned to the White House.AdvertisementMedia rights watchdog RSF warned in its annual report published on Friday of “an alarming deterioration in press freedom” in the US under Trump and “unprecedented” difficulties for independent journalists around the world.Aside from physical attacks, the media rights watchdog noted that “economic pressure” has become a major and “insidious problem” threatening journalism.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 11:15:14",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/app/uploads/2025/05/AFP__20250326__37XW636__v1__HighRes__UsPoliticsMediaProtest-1746174496-fRX4t0-150x150.jpeg",
      • "video_url": null,
      • "source_id": "jamaicainquirer",
      • "source_name": "Jamaica Inquirer",
      • "source_priority": 16291847,
      • "source_url": "https://jamaicainquirer.com",
      • "source_icon": "https://i.bytvi.com/domain_icons/jamaicainquirer.jpg",
      • "language": "english",
      • -
        "country": [
        • "jamaica"
        ],
      • -
        "category": [
        • "top"
        ],
      • "sentiment": "negative",
      • -
        "sentiment_stats": {},
      • -
        "ai_tag": [
        • "corporate news"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_region": [
        • "united states of america,north america"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_org": [
        • "npr",
        • "pbs",
        • "trump"
        ],
      • "duplicate": true
      },
    • -
      {
      • "article_id": "effd486e64f42b284fc720a2a85145a2",
      • "title": "Australia election 2025: Results, what polls say and what’s at stake?",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/australia-election-2025-results-what-polls-say-and-whats-at-stake/",
      • -
        "keywords": [
        • "world news"
        ],
      • -
        "creator": [
        • ""
        ],
      • "description": "Australians will head to the polls on Saturday to vote in federal elections and choose their next parliament. The ruling...",
      • "content": "Australians will head to the polls on Saturday to vote in federal elections and choose their next parliament.The ruling centre-left Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is polling slightly higher than the Liberal-National Coalition, led by Peter Dutton, in a campaign that has been largely dominated by housing price woes.list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Australia’s opposition scraps pledge to end remote work for public servantslist 2 of 4Australia opens mushroom murder triallist 3 of 4As Australia votes, a housing affordability crisis is top of voters’ mindslist 4 of 4How much will Trump’s new tariffs hurt other countries and US consumers?end of listHere is more about how the elections in Australia – where it has been compulsory to vote for the past century – will work:What’s at stake?Australians will vote for the upper and lower houses of parliament.Voters will elect representatives for their area – members of parliament (MPs) – to the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, which initiates or proposes most laws.There are currently 151 elected members of the House, who hold their seats for three years. However, this year, the House will shrink to 150 elected members due to a redrawing of electoral districts.Voters will also elect representatives for their state or territory to the upper chamber of parliament, the Senate, which reviews the laws passed by the House. There are 76 elected senators who hold their seats for six years. This year, 40 of these seats are up for grabs.AdvertisementTo form a government, a party needs to win a majority – at least 76 seats – in the House of Representatives. If no party wins an outright majority, the party with the highest number of seats forms a minority government by collaborating with smaller parties or independent members.Besides Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition, a number of independent and minor parties are also vying for seats.More than 7,000 polling stations across Australia will open from 8am until 6pm. Because Australia has multiple time zones, here is a breakdown of the times the polling places open:Polling stations in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Canberra and Jervis Bay will be open on Saturday from 8am to 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (22:00 GMT on Friday to 08:00 GMT on Saturday).The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website lists several polling places in Canberra for residents of the remote overseas territory Norfolk Island. However, there is one polling place on Norfolk Island itself, which will open from 8am to 6pm Norfolk Time (21:00 GMT on Friday to 07:00 GMT on Saturday).Polls in South Australia, Broken Hill (a New South wales outback town that’s close to the South Australia border) and the Northern Territory will vote from 8am to 6pm Australian Central Standard Time (22:30 GMT on Friday to 08:30 GMT on Saturday).The AEC website lists polling stations closest to the overseas territories of the Cocos, or Keeling, Islands and Christmas Island in the Northern Territory. They will also vote in Australian Central Standard Time (22:30 GMT on Friday to 08:30 GMT on Saturday).Polls in Western Australia open from 8am to 6pm Australian Western Standard Time (00:00 to 10:00 GMT on Saturday).AdvertisementAustralia has more than 500 early voting centres, which opened on April 22 and will close on Friday, May 2. About 4.8 million Australians had already cast early ballots as of Thursday.During the early voting period, overseas Australians may vote at overseas voting centres, which include embassies and consulates. While it is not compulsory for overseas Australians to vote, they must notify the AEC if they are not voting.There is also a remote voting system in Australia that opened on April 22. Small AEC teams travel by car, plane, helicopter or boat to collect votes from remote communities. They have visited remote locations and islands, including the Cocos Islands and Christmas Island.Australia also has a postal voting system.How do Australian elections work?A federal election takes place every three years in Australia through a preferential voting system.Voting is compulsory in Australia for citizens aged 18 and older. There are 18 million eligible voters in Australia. Voters must be registered on an electoral roll to be able to cast their ballots.If voters do not vote and fail to submit a legitimate reason, they face a 20-Australian-dollar (US$12.75) penalty.After voters’ identities are verified at polling stations and checked off the electoral roll, they are given two ballot papers – one for each of the two houses of parliament. Voter ID is not required.A green ballot paper is for selecting representatives for the House of Representatives. On this paper, voters must rank all the candidates running in their constituency in order of preference.AdvertisementA white ballot paper is for voters to pick senators. The ballot paper lists parties running in the election at the top of the form while candidates for each party are shown at the bottom.On the white paper, voters choose one of two ways to vote: They can either select a party at the top of the form, or they can rank candidates in order of preference on the bottom part of the form.Pencils are supplied at polling centres, but voters are allowed to mark their votes with pen as well.A candidate wins if they manage to win more than 50 percent of the first-preference votes.If no candidate reaches the 50 percent threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and his or her votes are distributed to the candidate that voters nominated as their second preference. This process continues until a candidate reaches the threshold.What do the polls say?Opinion polls from YouGov suggested Albanese’s Labor Party was leading Dutton’s coalition by a narrow margin in the two-party preferred vote as of Wednesday. The projected vote share for Labor is 31.4 percent and for the Coalition 31.1 percent.If Labor forms a minority government, it is most likely to do so in cooperation with the Greens or with the Teals, a group of centrist independents focused on environmental issues, Charles Edel, senior adviser and Australia chair at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in a written analysis on the CSIS website.Edel added that the Teals and Greens would likely push Labor’s focus towards environmental issues but are unlikely to influence foreign policy decisions beyond this issue.AdvertisementWhat did the last parliament look like?The Labor Party won a majority with 77 seats out of 151 in the House of Representatives in the last federal election in 2022. The Liberal-National Coalition won 58 seats. The Greens took four.The election brought Labor back to power after almost a decade.In the Senate, the Labor Party held 25 seats, the Coalition 30, the Greens 11, minor parties six and independents four, when parliament was dissolved on March 28 ahead of the federal elections, leaving a caretaker government in charge.What are the key issues in these elections?The key issues shaping the vote include housing costs, the economy, defence and energy.Cost of livingInflation has caused the cost of living in Australia to surge in recent years. The price of eggs, for instance, rose by 11 percent last year, according to government figures.The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased its benchmark interest rate multiple times during the Albanese administration, hitting a peak in November 2023 at 4.35 percent. In 2023, annual inflation peaked at 7.8 percent.Housing pricesAustralia’s high property and rental prices, which have led to unaffordable and scarce housing, are on top of voters’ minds this election.On average, a household in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, needs to earn about 280,000 Australian dollars every year (US$180,000) to be able to afford the median house price of 1.4 million Australian dollars (US$900,000), according to research by the property consultancy PropTrack. The city ranks as the second least affordable out of 94 urban centres globally, according to the International Housing Affordability survey by Demographia, written by the American urban policy analyst Wendell Cox and published in 2024.AdvertisementAverage rent in Australia rose by 4.8 percent last year after increasing by 8.1 percent in 2023, according to the property analyst CoreLogic.“This is a crisis that took decades to create, and it’s going to take decades to fix, but we do need someone to step up and take the first steps,” Maiy Azize, the national spokesperson for the pressure group Everybody’s Home, told Al Jazeera.While the Labor Party has promised to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers, the Liberals have pledged to invest in infrastructure and reduce red tape to speed up housing approvals.EnergyAustralian politicians face growing calls from voters, especially from younger age groups, to do more to transition to clean energy. A 2023 survey by the independent nonprofit Energy Consumers Australia suggested that about half of Australians aged 18 to 34 want Australia to be powered by renewables by 2030.Both major parties agree that the transition is needed, but the methods to achieve this transition are what divides them. The Coalition seeks the construction of seven nuclear power plants funded by the government, which could begin providing energy by 2035.However, the Labor Party argues that the energy from existing coal- and gas-fired generators would not be enough to meet the country’s needs while Australians wait for nuclear energy to kick off. The party instead proposes to supply 82 percent of Australia’s grid with renewable energy sources.How soon will the election results be known?Ballot counting will begin on Saturday after 6pm Australian Eastern Time (08:00 GMT) once polling stations close. Most postal votes are counted after election day.AdvertisementWhile the AEC never publishes the final results on the night of the elections – it takes longer than that to count every vote – tallies typically start appearing and may indicate the result much sooner.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 11:15:12",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/app/uploads/2025/05/2025-04-30T014106Z_820012007_RC208EAX7YHW_RTRMADP_3_AUSTRALIA-ELECTION-1746098380-MQv4pL-150x150.jpeg",
      • "video_url": null,
      • "source_id": "jamaicainquirer",
      • "source_name": "Jamaica Inquirer",
      • "source_priority": 16291847,
      • "source_url": "https://jamaicainquirer.com",
      • "source_icon": "https://i.bytvi.com/domain_icons/jamaicainquirer.jpg",
      • "language": "english",
      • -
        "country": [
        • "jamaica"
        ],
      • -
        "category": [
        • "top"
        ],
      • "sentiment": "neutral",
      • -
        "sentiment_stats": {},
      • -
        "ai_tag": [
        • "elections"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_region": [
        • "australia,australia/oceania"
        ],
      • "ai_org": null,
      • "duplicate": false
      },
    • -
      {
      • "article_id": "f0cc895bdc2d3b87d2b3239e2be93422",
      • "title": "អង្គការRSF៖សេរីភាព​សារព័ត៌មានធ្លាក់ចុះខ្លាំង សូម្បីនៅប្រទេស​ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ ដូច​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក",
      • "link": "https://www.rfi.fr/km/%E1%9E%A2%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%98%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%80/20250502-%E1%9E%A2%E1%9E%84%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%82%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9Arsf%E1%9F%96%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%97%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%96-%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%96%E1%9F%90%E1%9E%8F%E1%9F%8C%E1%9E%98%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%92%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9B%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%80%E1%9F%8B%E1%9E%85%E1%9E%BB%E1%9F%87%E1%9E%81%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9B%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%84-%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%BC%E1%9E%98%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%93%E1%9F%85%E1%9E%94%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%91%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9F-%E1%9E%94%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%87%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%92%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%8F%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%99%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%99-%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%BC%E1%9E%85-%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%A0%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8A%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%8B%E1%9E%A2%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%98%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%B7%E1%9E%80",
      • -
        "keywords": [
        • "អាមេរិក"
        ],
      • -
        "creator": [
        • "AP - Alex Brandon",
        • "ឈាង បុប្ផា"
        ],
      • "description": "​​ជាលើកទី១ ស្ថានភាព​សេរីភាពសារព័ត៌មាននៅក្នុងពិភពលោក​ធ្លាក់ចុះអាក្រក់​សឹង​គ្រប់ទីកន្លែង​នៅក្នុងពិភពលោក។ នៅក្នុង​របាយការណ៍​ដែលចេញផ្សាយនៅមួយថ្ងៃមុន​ទិវាសេរីភាពសារព័ត៌មានពិភពលោកលើកទី​៣២ (ថ្ងៃទី ៣​ឧសភា ឆ្នាំ ២០២៥) អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែន ដែលមានទីស្នាក់ការ​នៅទីក្រុង​ប៉ារីស​ ប្រទេស​បារាំង​បានបង្ហាញថា ក្រៅពីប្រឈម​នឹង​​បញ្ហា​អសន្តិសុខ និងការដាក់សម្ពាធផ្នែកនយោបាយ ​អ្នកកាសែត និងប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយឯករាជ្យ​កំពុង​រង​ការដាក់សម្ពាធខ្លាំងមិនធ្លាប់មានផ្នែក​សេដ្ឋកិច្ច។ អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែន​បាន​លើកយក​ករណីជាពិសេស​របស់​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក ជាទី​ដែល​រដ្ឋបាលលោកដូណាល់ ត្រាំ ទើបបាន​ចុះហត្ថលេខា​លើក្រឹត្យ​បញ្ជាឲ្យគេកាត់ផ្តាច់ជំនួយ​ដល់​វិទ្យុ និង​ទូរទស្សន៍រដ្ឋ​ចំនួន​ពីរ កាលពីថ្ងៃ​ព្រហស្បតិ៍​ទី ១​ឧសភាម្សិលមិញ។",
      • "content": "អាណត្តិដឹកនាំ​ទី​២​របស់​លោកដូណាល់ ត្រាំ​បាន​បណ្តាលឲ្យមានការ​ទាញសញ្ញាអាសន្ន​ ស្តីពីការធ្លាក់​ចុះ​ដោយ​គំហុក​នៃ​សេរីភាពសារព័ត៌មាន​ និង​និន្នាការដឹកនាំ​បែបផ្តាច់ការ នៅ​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក។ នៅក្នុង​ឱកាសពិភពលោកត្រូវ​ប្រារព្ធ​ទិវា​សេរីភាពសារព័ត៌មានលើកទី​៣២ នៅថ្ងៃទី ៣ខែ​ឧសភា អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែន Reporter Sans Frontière ឬRSF បាន​ចេញ​របាយការណ៍​ព្រមាន និងទម្លាក់ចំណាត់ថ្នាក់​សេរីភាពសារព័ត៌មានអាមេរិក​ ពីរកម្រិត រហូត​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យអាមេរិក​ក្រោមការដឹកនាំ​របស់​លោកដូណាល់ត្រាំ ស្ថិតនៅ​ចំណាត់ថ្នាក់លេខ ៥៧ ក្រោយ​ប្រទេស​សេរ៉ាឡេអូន​នៅទឹកដីអាហ្វ្រិកទៅទៀត។ អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែន​ RSF បាន​ទម្លាក់ចំណាត់​ថ្នាក់​របស់​អាមេរិក ប្រទេស​បិតា​ប្រជាធិបតេយ្យនៅផ្នែកសេរីភាព​សារព័ត៌មាន ដោយ​មើល​ទៅលើ​ស្ថានភាព​របស់​អ្នកកាសែត និង​ប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយឯករាជ្យ​នៅទឹកដីអាមេរិក ដែល​កាន់តែ​រងសម្ពាធ​ជាពិសេស​ផ្នែកសេដ្ឋកិច្ចពី​សំណាក់​រដ្ឋបាល​លោកដូណាល់​ត្រាំ។ បើតាម​អង្គការ​​ RSF ក្រៅតែ​ពីប្តឹងផ្តល់​ប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយដែលលោកចាត់ទុកថា ផ្សាយលំអៀង ទាំងលោកដូណាល់ ត្រាំ​និង​មន្រ្តីរបស់លោក​ព្យាយាមផាត់ចោល មិន​ឲ្យ​អ្នកកាសែត​របស់​​ស្ថាប័នឯករាជ្យ​ដូចជា AP ជាដើម​ចូលទៅ​យកព័ត៌មាន​នៅ​សេតវិមាន។ អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែននៅបាន​រំលេច​នយោបាយ​រើសអើង​របស់​លោកដូណាល់ត្រាំ ដើម្បីប្រឆាំងនឹង​ប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយ​ឯករាជ្យ និងធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​លក្ខខណ្ឌ​ការងារ​របស់​កាសែត​កាន់តែ​លំបាកវេទនាតាមរយៈការកាត់ផ្តាច់ជំនួយពីរដ្ឋាភិបាលសហព័ន្ធ។ អង្គការ​​ RSFបាននិយាយ​ពីករណី ​វិទ្យុសំឡេងអាមេរិក វិទ្យុអាស៊ីសេរី និង​វិទ្យុអឺរ៉ុបសេរី ​ដែលត្រូវ​បិទទ្វារ​ជាង​១ខែ​មកហើយ​ដោយសារ​តែ​បទបញ្ជារបស់​លោកដូណាល់ ត្រាំ។ ចំពោះ​អង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែន ការកាត់ផ្តាច់ជំនួយបរទេស USAID ដែលជា​អ្នកឧបត្ថម្ភជួយ​ប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយ​នៅទឹកដីបរទេស​ កំពុងប៉ះពាល់​ខ្លាំងផងដែរ ដល់​ការអនុវត្ត​ការងារ​​របស់​អ្នកកាសែត​មានវិជ្ជាជីវៈនៅតាម​បណ្តាប្រទេស​ដែល​រឹតត្បិតសិទ្ធិសេរីភាពរបស់សារព័ត៌មាន។ បើតាម​អង្គការ ​ RSF ការដាក់សម្ពាធ​សេដ្ឋកិច្ច ការបិទខ្ទប់​ថវិកាចំពោះស្ថាប័នព័ត៌មានឯករាជ្យ​បានទៅបង្អាក់ រារាំង​មិន​ឲ្យអ្នកកាសែត​អាច​ចុះផ្សាយ​ព័ត៌មានពិត សុក្រឹត និង​មិនលំអៀង។ ដោយសារតែគ្មានការផ្ទៀងផ្ទាត់ព័ត៌មាន​ពីស្ថាប័នកាសែត​អាជីព ប្រជាជន​​ត្រូវ​បំពុល​ដោយ​ការផ្សព្វផ្សាយព័ត៌មានមិនពិត ព័ត៌មានក្លែងក្លាយ និង​ព័ត៌មាន​​បែបឃោសនា នៅតាមបណ្តាប្រទេស​​ផ្តាច់ការ ឬ​ប្រទេស​ដែលមាននិនា្នការបែរ​ទៅរក​របបដឹកនាំផ្តាច់ការ។ លក្ខខ័ណ្ឌធ្វើការរបស់​អ្នកកាសែត និង​ស្ថានភាព​ហិរញ្ញវត្ថុ​របស់​ប្រព័ន្ធផ្សព្វផ្សាយ កាសែត​ឯករាជ្យ​ធ្លាក់​ចុះ​អាក្រក់គួរឲ្យកត់សំគាល់​នៅ​ឆ្នាំ​២០២៤។ យោងតាមរបាយការណ៍ប្រចាំឆ្នាំ​២០២៥របស់​អង្គការ​ RSF ជាលើកទី១​ក្នុងប្រវត្តិសាស្រ្ត គេ​កត់សម្គាល់ឃើញថា ​​៣ភាគ៤នៃបណ្តាប្រទេស​​​ក្នុង​ពិភពលោក មានអ្នកកាសែត​ដែល​ប្រកបការងារ​កាន់តែ​លំបាក ជួបឧបសគ្គកាន់តែ​ច្រើន និងរងការគំរាមកំហែងជីវិតនៅពេល​ចុះយកព័ត៌មាន​ស្តីពីការប្រព្រឹត្តអំពើពុករលួយ ឬ​កាប់បំផ្លាញព្រៃឈើជាដើម។ នេះគេនៅមិនទាន់និយាយ​ពីគ្រោះថ្នាក់​ ​បាត់បង់​ជីវិត​នៅក្នុងពេល​ចុះ​យកព័ត៌មាន​នៅសមរភូមិ​ដូចករណី​សង្រ្គាម​ប្រទេស​អ៊ុយក្រែន ឬ​សង្រ្គាមហ្កាហ្សា ជាទីដែលអង្គការ​អ្នកកាសែត​គ្មានព្រំដែនរកឃើញថា មាន​អ្នកកាសែត​ជាង​២០០​នាក់​ស្លាប់​ដោយសារ​ការវាយប្រហារ​របស់​កងទ័ពអ៊ីស្រាអែល។",
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      {
      • "article_id": "1607e8da35ca438627b13c36756f6919",
      • "title": "Drones hit ‘Freedom Flotilla’ Gaza aid ship in international waters",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/drones-hit-freedom-flotilla-gaza-aid-ship-in-international-waters/",
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      • "description": "A ship carrying aid to Gaza in a bid to break Israel’s blockade has been hit by drones in international waters off Mal...",
      • "content": "A ship carrying aid to Gaza in a bid to break Israel’s blockade has been hit by drones in international waters off Malta, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group that organised the mission.The FFC said in a statement on Friday that the vessel, now located 14 nautical miles (25km) from Malta, was the target of two drone strikes while on its way to Gaza. The ship had been seeking to deliver aid to the besieged enclave, where aid groups warn people are struggling to survive following a two-month total blockade by Israel.list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Palestine the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, RSF sayslist 2 of 3Israeli attacks kill dozens as UN demands lifting of ‘cruel’ Gaza blockadelist 3 of 3Al Jazeera wins two Peabody Awards for documentaries on Gaza war carnageend of list“Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,” the group said.The statement did not directly accuse Israel of carrying out the attack.However, it did demand that “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters”.Israel has not commented on the drone strikes.AdvertisementNicole Jenes of the FFC told Al Jazeera that the attack on the Conscience at 12.23pm local time (10:23 GMT) on Friday morning blew a hole in the vessel and set the engine ablaze.The strike left 30 Turkish and Azeri activists on board engaged in a frantic effort to bail out water and keep the vessel afloat, she added.The group statement said “a vessel from Southern Cyprus” had been dispatched after it sent SOS calls.Later on Friday, the Maltese government said in a statement that the fire on the ship had been brought under control and that the vessel was being monitored by authorities. It was unclear whether the authorities had directly intervened to put out the fire and what has happened to the activists.Jenes, currently in Malta, said that the group was not aware of the situation on board the ship as communication with the crew had been lost.“They were hiding in the night in the rooms of the ship because they were afraid of the drones ... We lost contact with them,” she said.The FFC, formed by peace activists from several countries last year, uses a converted trawler to try to defy Israel’s blockade on Gaza.Israel halted humanitarian aid two months ago, shortly before it broke a ceasefire and restarted its war against Hamas, which has devastated the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 50,000 people.“It’s very important to ... understand this attack is an extension of the genocide that is happening in Gaza and cannot pass unpunished,” Jenes said, insisting that the FFC is asking the world to turn its eyes to the blockade.AdvertisementThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a report released on Friday that the humanitarian response in Gaza is “on the verge of total collapse”.“Six weeks of intense hostilities, combined with a complete blockage of aid for two months, have left civilians without the essentials they need to survive. Without an immediate resumption of aid deliveries, the will not have access to the food, medicines, and life-saving supplies needed to sustain many of its programmes in Gaza,” the ICRC said.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 10:15:18",
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      • "article_id": "8473ee31ba8f0937d429f0c4b9cc0fff",
      • "title": "Hong Kong ex-lawmaker describes ‘Kafka-esque’ prison experience",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/hong-kong-ex-lawmaker-describes-kafka-esque-prison-experience/",
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      • "description": "A former Hong Kong lawmaker who was jailed as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent in the Chinese territory has descr...",
      • "content": "A former Hong Kong lawmaker who was jailed as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissent in the Chinese territory has described her prison experience as “Kafka-esque”.Claudia Mo, a former journalist who co-founded the pro-democracy Civic Party, was released on Tuesday after more than four years behind bars for national security offences.list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Palestine the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, RSF sayslist 2 of 4Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace, issues warning over Druzelist 3 of 4Gaza aid ship on fire after reported drone attacklist 4 of 4South Korea appoints new acting leader as ex-PM enters election raceend of listMo, who was freed together with three other ex-politicians, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to subvert state power in 2022 in a mammoth national security case related to the participation of 47 activists in an unofficial primary election.Another 44 activists pleaded guilty or were convicted in the landmark case, which was condemned by Western governments and rights groups as an example of Beijing trampling on freedoms in the former British colony.In her first comments since her release, Mo said on Friday that she had read more than 300 books and brushed up on her French while in detention.“Many thanks for all the concern and care expressed upon my release. Prison life was surreal, almost Kafka-esque to start with. But I didn’t suffer the two major incarceration traumas, loneliness and boredom, thanks to the social arrangements inside,” Mo said in a post on Facebook.AdvertisementMo thanked her supporters, including the press freedom group Reporters Without Borders and retired Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen, who was arrested on national security grounds in 2022 without being charged.“My thoughts are with my co-defendants who remain in custody,” she said.Once home to a vibrant political opposition and freewheeling media scene, Hong Kong was transformed into a polity with little space for dissent by the imposition of a sweeping Beijing-decreed national security law in 2020.Beijing and the Hong Kong government have praised the legislation for restoring peace and order to the city after the eruption of often violent mass antigovernment protests in 2019.On Friday, Hong Kong national security police arrested the father and brother of wanted activist Anna Kwok, the head of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, on suspicion of handling her finances, local media reported.Police said they arrested two men, aged 35 and 68, on suspicion of “attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources” owned or controlled by “a relevant absconder”.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 10:15:16",
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      {
      • "article_id": "7b1a271094f8abd5c1e18fbfb71afcc8",
      • "title": "South Korea appoints new acting leader as ex-PM enters election race",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/south-korea-appoints-new-acting-leader-as-ex-pm-enters-election-race/",
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      • "description": "South Korea has sworn in its third acting president in less than six months, as his predecessor declared his candidacy i...",
      • "content": "South Korea has sworn in its third acting president in less than six months, as his predecessor declared his candidacy in a snap election to replace impeached ex-leader Yoon Suk-yeol.Education Minister Lee Ju-ho pledged to ensure “stability” as he was appointed acting leader on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3 election.list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4The Take: Could Trump tip Australia’s 2025 election?list 2 of 4Pahalgam attack: A simple guide to the Kashmir conflictlist 3 of 4Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace, issues warning over Druzelist 4 of 4Palestine the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, RSF saysend of list“I will try my best to ensure government functions are managed stably,” Lee told reporters.The appointment of a new acting president came as Han’s candidacy injected more uncertainty into an election race that has been upended by doubts over the eligibility of the left-leaning frontrunner, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party.“I’ve determined to find what I can do for the future of the Republic of Korea that I love and for all of us,” Han told a news conference at the National Assembly on Friday.“I’ll try my utmost to be chosen by the people at this presidential election.”On Thursday, the Supreme Court overturned Lee Jae-myung’s acquittal on election law violations, sending the case back to a lower court.AdvertisementIf his conviction is upheld before the election, Lee, who has dominated polls for months, would be disqualified from the race.Next month’s election was called after Yoon, a former prosecutor-turned-conservative politician, was removed from office over his shock declaration of martial law in December.While Yoon’s declaration lasted less than six hours before being voted down by South Korea’s legislature, the political uncertainty and chaos it unleashed continues to reverberate nearly six months later.Han, 75, took over as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment on December 14, before he was himself impeached and replaced by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.In March, the Constitutional Court overturned Han’s impeachment, restoring him to the role of acting leader.A veteran politician and bureaucrat, Han has served as prime minister in both liberal and conservative administrations, as well as doing stints as trade minister, finance minister, and ambassador to the United States.While not affiliated with a political party, Han is expected to ally with Yoon’s conservative People Power Party.He said his campaign platform would focus on limiting the power of the executive and amending the constitution to add more checks and balances.Following Han’s announcement, the Democratic Party accused him of abandoning his duties as a caretaker leader.“We warn former Prime Minister Han. Don’t hide your greed with a lie that you are running for the people,” Democratic Party spokesperson Noh Jong-myun said.Advertisement",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 08:15:14",
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      • "article_id": "d207b9e9346be9610e3cb683498a77fd",
      • "title": "Israel strikes near Syria’s presidential palace, issues warning over Druze",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/israel-strikes-near-syrias-presidential-palace-issues-warning-over-druze/",
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      • "description": "News|Syria’s War Israel’s military has launched air strikes near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus after...",
      • "content": "News|Syria’s WarIsrael’s military has launched air strikes near Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus after accusing the Syrian authorities of failing to protect the country’s Druze minority from sectarian violence.The attack early on Friday was the second of its kind by Israel this week and is seen as sending a strong message to Syria’s transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Man Utd win 3-0 at ten-man Athletic Club to hone in on Europa League finallist 2 of 4Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,163list 3 of 4A ‘political prisoner’: US advocates rally for detained Georgetown scholarlist 4 of 4China says it is ‘evaluating’ Trump administration’s outreach on tariffsend of list“This is a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow [Syrian] forces to deploy south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community,” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz shortly after the attack.More than 100 people were killed this week during fighting between pro-government forces and Druze fighters in Syria.The violence has been condemned as a “genocidal campaign” by Syria’s Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who called for an immediate intervention by “international forces to maintain peace and prevent the continuation of these crimes”.AdvertisementOn Thursday, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged the international community to “fulfil its role in protecting the minorities in Syria – especially the Druze – from the regime and its gangs of terror”.Israel has previously called Syria’s transitional government a “terror group from Idlib that took Damascus by force” and has ramped up its support for the Druze minority this week.The Druze minority are a 10th-century offshoot of a branch of Shia Islam, and live primarily in Syria, Lebanon and Israel, and have been allies of Israel with many Druze serving in the Israeli military.Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Thursday called for “national unity” as “the solid foundation for any process of stability or revival”.“Any call for external intervention, under any pretext or slogan, only leads to further deterioration and division,” he wrote on X.The sectarian violence poses one of the most serious challenges yet to the government of al-Sharaa, who led a coalition of rebel groups to overthrow Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in December.Syria has been faced with sectarian violence since then.The fighting this week follows a massacre in March of more than 1,700 civilians from the Alawite community by security forces and allied groups, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.The Alawites, who are traditionally based near the Mediterranean coast in western Syria, are the same ethnic group as the toppled al-Assad.Advertisement",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 06:15:17",
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      • "title": "Palestine the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, RSF says",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/palestine-the-worlds-most-dangerous-place-for-journalists-rsf-says/",
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      • "description": "Palestine has become the world’s most dangerous state for journalists amid Israel’s war on Gaza, with dozens of repo...",
      • "content": "Palestine has become the world’s most dangerous state for journalists amid Israel’s war on Gaza, with dozens of reporters likely killed specifically due to their work, a media freedom watchdog has said.Israeli forces killed nearly 200 journalists in the first 18 months of the war, at least 42 of whom were slain while doing their job, Reporters Without Borders said on Friday as it released its World Press Freedom Index 2025.list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US judge blocks Trump’s effort to shutter international news servicelist 2 of 3Russian journalists jailed for more than 5 years over alleged Navalny tieslist 3 of 3Judge orders White House to restore media access to US news agencyend of list“Trapped in the enclave, journalists in Gaza have no shelter and lack everything, including food and water,” said the Paris-based group, which is also known by its French acronym RSF.“In the West Bank, journalists are routinely harassed and attacked by both settlers and Israeli forces, but repression reached new heights with a wave of arrests after 7 October, when impunity for crimes committed against journalists became a new rule.”Journalists suspected of collaborating with Israel are also hampered in their work by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, while a cybercrime law adopted by the Palestinian Authority limits freedom of expression and freedom of the press, RSF said in its report.AdvertisementPalestine ranked 163rd for press freedom in the latest index, a drop of six places from 2024.Of 180 jurisdictions, 112 saw declines in press freedom, with the average score globally falling to a record low of 55 points, according to the report.The United States dropped two places to a record low of 57, with the watchdog accusing US President Donald Trump of overseeing a “troubling deterioration in press freedom”.“President Donald Trump was elected to a second term after a campaign in which he denigrated the press on a daily basis and made explicit threats to weaponize the federal government against the media,” RSF said.“His early moves in his second mandate to politicise the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), ban The Associated Press from the White House, or dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, for example, have jeopardised the country’s news outlets and indicate that he intends to follow through on his threats, setting up a potential crisis for American journalism.”Israel dropped 11 places to 112th, with Reporters Without Borders pointing to growing restrictions on press freedom, media plurality and editorial independence since the start of the war in Gaza.“Since 2021, only journalists working for Channel 14, a media outlet that covers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a favourable light, have been granted interviews with the country’s leader, who accuses the Israeli press of conspiring against him,” the group said.“In 2024, the Minister of Communication called on the government to boycott Haaretz, one of the few newspapers to criticise Netanyahu’s policies, including the massacre of civilians in Gaza – a topic that is largely suppressed.”AdvertisementEritrea was the lowest-ranked jurisdiction, just behind North Korea and China.Norway was ranked first for press freedom, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands and Sweden.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 06:15:16",
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      • "article_id": "d68b0ff4c101ad34c367d2e00b47f558",
      • "title": "WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL: How to Walk with Christ",
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      • "description": "Becoming a follower of Jesus is not just about attending church or saying a prayer—it’s about learning to walk with Him every day. Walking with Him is more than a decision—it is a daily relationship. Many who receive Jesus with joy struggle to know what comes next. The Christian life, to which we are called, [...]",
      • "content": "Becoming a follower of Jesus is not just about attending church or saying a prayer—it’s about learning to walk with Him every day. Walking with Him is more than a decision—it is a daily relationship. Many who receive Jesus with joy struggle to know what comes next. The Christian life, to which we are called, is not a sprint; it is a walk—a steady, step-by-step journey with Jesus by our side. Paul exhorted the church at Colosse, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7, NKJV). So, how do we do this? First, our walk with Jesus does not begin with rules but with relationship. He did not call His disciples to follow a religion—He called them, and us, to follow Him (Matthew 16:24). To walk with Christ means to invite Him into every part of our lives: our thoughts, our choices, our struggles, and our joys. It is not about perfection but about connection. Just as you and I would with a close friend, we spend time with Him through prayer, Scripture, and worship. Let His presence become familiar and dear. In John 10:27, He reminds us, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This was a clear reference to an intimate relationship. Secondly, we must stay rooted in God’s Word. We cannot walk in step with Jesus if we do not know what He is saying. The Bible is more than an ancient book—it is God’s voice for our daily lives. When we fill our minds with His truth, we are less likely to be swayed by fear, temptation, or untruths. The Word of God anchors us and directs our steps. It is no wonder the Psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Thirdly, walking with Christ means learning to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading (Galatians 5:25). He will convict us, comfort us, and guide our decisions. We may not always hear a loud voice or see a big sign, but as we learn to listen to His whisper, we will grow in discernment and strength. Fourthly, walking with Jesus also means walking with others who will encourage us, pray with us, and challenge us to grow (Proverbs 27:17). God never meant for us to walk alone. The Christian community is part of His design. Together, we reflect Christ to the world. Fifthly, it also means walking in obedience and trust. As some of us have found out, sometimes He will lead us in unexpected ways. We must trust His direction even when we do not understand it. It means choosing faith over fear and obedience over comfort. The good news is that He never calls us to walk where He has not already gone before (1 Peter 2:21). That excites me; it should excite you too. Easy going, dislike negativity, and an optimist. I believe that amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, each day is a gift from God and if we stop and think about it, there is at least one thing for which we ought to be thankful. In addition, I believe that every day is a great day to be alive. No matter how bad we think we have it, there are any number of people who are on the \"other side\" who, if they could, would gladly trade places with us. Email me at [email protected]",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:50:12",
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      • "article_id": "7be2385049573b9442d9c300bced79e7",
      • "title": "DaCosta set to dominate Sunday’s feature races",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/dacosta-set-dominate-sundays-feature-races",
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      • "description": "CHAMPION trainer Jason DaCosta looks all set to sweep Sunday’s Portmore and Kingston, Guineas trials with SOCIAL AVIATOR and RUNAWAY STAR, contrasting runners-up in the recent Thornbird and Prince Consort Stakes.RUNAWAY STAR actually passed the post first in the seven-furlong Prince Consort Stakes but had his number taken down, disqualified, and placed second behind HONOUR PRINCE for a grievous, schoolyard-like infringement sparked by Raddesh Roman’s right-handed whipping a furlong and a half out.The stewards could have almost put up the disqualification light a furlong out due to the severity of the infringement, which had caused Phillip Parchment to take a big pull astride rail-running HONOUR PRINCE, who rallied bravely to get within a length at the wire.With stablemate I DREAM AGAIN returning to carry the fractions and HONOUR PRINCE skipping the event, RUNAWAY STAR should be on easy street in the Kingston.SOCIAL AVIATOR paid the price of DaCosta opting to shun claiming riders in the Thornbird, outfinished by HANSA, who she allowed 11lb in a length and a half defeat. HANSA literally floated past SOCIAL AVIATOR with the lightweight close home, carrying 109lb due to Tajay Suckoo’s seven-pound claim. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Undefeated in two starts prior to the Thornbird, SOCIAL AVIATOR, now only two pounds heavier than most of her rivals, only has Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner BURNING HEDGE to fear should she return to form after a dour performance in the Thornbird.BURNING HEDGE might not have liked the going made a bit tough after drying out following showers. She appeared to be shying from the dirt being kicked at her and could very well turn the form of the Thornbird on its head.",
      • "content": "CHAMPION trainer Jason DaCosta looks all set to sweep Sunday’s Portmore and Kingston, Guineas trials with SOCIAL AVIATOR and RUNAWAY STAR, contrasting runners-up in the recent Thornbird and Prince Consort Stakes. RUNAWAY STAR actually passed the post first in the seven-furlong Prince Consort Stakes but had his number taken down, disqualified, and placed second behind HONOUR PRINCE for a grievous, schoolyard-like infringement sparked by Raddesh Roman’s right-handed whipping a furlong and a half out. The stewards could have almost put up the disqualification light a furlong out due to the severity of the infringement, which had caused Phillip Parchment to take a big pull astride rail-running HONOUR PRINCE, who rallied bravely to get within a length at the wire. With stablemate I DREAM AGAIN returning to carry the fractions and HONOUR PRINCE skipping the event, RUNAWAY STAR should be on easy street in the Kingston. SOCIAL AVIATOR paid the price of DaCosta opting to shun claiming riders in the Thornbird, outfinished by HANSA, who she allowed 11lb in a length and a half defeat. HANSA literally floated past SOCIAL AVIATOR with the lightweight close home, carrying 109lb due to Tajay Suckoo’s seven-pound claim. Undefeated in two starts prior to the Thornbird, SOCIAL AVIATOR, now only two pounds heavier than most of her rivals, only has Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner BURNING HEDGE to fear should she return to form after a dour performance in the Thornbird. BURNING HEDGE might not have liked the going made a bit tough after drying out following showers. She appeared to be shying from the dirt being kicked at her and could very well turn the form of the Thornbird on its head.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:18:25",
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      • "article_id": "61556bbee8d6814ef19ac2adb8b66bd5",
      • "title": "BANNER BATTLE",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/banner-battle",
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      • "description": "Jamaica’s Supreme Court is being asked to quash a decision by the St James Municipal Corporation to remove political posters of prospective candidates for the upcoming general election and to bar the local authority from taking any similar action.The 56-page claim was filed by three People’s National Party (PNP) prospective candidates – Dr Andre Haughton, Senator Janice Allen, and Allan Bernard – on Tuesday, seeking judicial review of the St James Municipal Corporation’s decision to remove their campaign posters in the parish.They also want a review of the motion passed by the finance committee of the municipal corporation on April 9, 2025, prohibiting the display of advertising pending an announcement of an election; an order barring the corporation from interfering in the applicants’ political advertising; and an order compelling the corporation to return, restore, and reinstate their advertising.Further, they want the court to mandate the reinstatement or return of posters the municipal corporation removed from locations across the parish and a declaration that it acted unlawfully.The three are also seeking general and aggravated damages. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. They argued that the political posters were mounted to advance their cause on the basis that there is a pending general election.They said by way of public pronouncements in the print media that they had realised that officers of the municipal corporation intended to remove their posters on the grounds that a date had not been set for the general election.They said that on or around April 5, approximately 15 of their posters were removed without any notification to them.Further, they said on April 9, a motion was passed at a finance committee meeting of the municipal corporation in relation to the prohibition and removal of the posters. The claimants said they were not aware of the meeting and were given no opportunity to participate or be represented. ‘Natural’ part of campaign They asserted that the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulation, 1978 allows for the mounting of advertisements relating to a pending parliamentary election without the express consent of the municipal corporation.“The circumstances reveal that the general parliamentary elections, which are constitutionally due by or before December 2025, must be pending,” the claim said.“It would create an absurdity not to accept this period for which a parliamentary election shall become pending as advertisements are a natural part of a parliamentary campaign and form part of which a financial obligation to report would flow,” it said.The three prospective candidates said the municipal corporation is one of 15 local municipalities, noting that none of the others have expressed the same interpretation of the regulation – one which lends itself to “massive political interference and disturbance to the parliamentary candidates in the parish of St James”.They said that the municipal authority has provided no reasonable justification such as public safety concerns, substantial harm to the local amenity, or obstruction that necessitated the immediate removal of their political advertisements or signage without prior notice or an opportunity for rectification. The three insisted that there is no alternative remedy available to them, noting that a judicial review is the only way by which they can seek redress. “Given the public importance of the reliefs sought and the need for uniformity across the municipalities, this matter is best resolved by a judicial review court. Therefore, even if any alternative method of redress exists, judicial review is the most appropriate avenue.“The [municipal corporation’s] decision to remove political advertisements without prior notice or consultation, despite less intrusive alternatives being available, constitutes a disproportionate interference with the applicants’ democratic rights to political expression and participation. This unjustifiable and excessive exercise of statutory powers significantly prejudices the applicants’ campaign,” the claim said. kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "Jamaica’s Supreme Court is being asked to quash a decision by the St James Municipal Corporation to remove political posters of prospective candidates for the upcoming general election and to bar the local authority from taking any similar action. The 56-page claim was filed by three People’s National Party (PNP) prospective candidates – Dr Andre Haughton, Senator Janice Allen, and Allan Bernard – on Tuesday, seeking judicial review of the St James Municipal Corporation’s decision to remove their campaign posters in the parish. They also want a review of the motion passed by the finance committee of the municipal corporation on April 9, 2025, prohibiting the display of advertising pending an announcement of an election; an order barring the corporation from interfering in the applicants’ political advertising; and an order compelling the corporation to return, restore, and reinstate their advertising. Further, they want the court to mandate the reinstatement or return of posters the municipal corporation removed from locations across the parish and a declaration that it acted unlawfully. The three are also seeking general and aggravated damages. They argued that the political posters were mounted to advance their cause on the basis that there is a pending general election. They said by way of public pronouncements in the print media that they had realised that officers of the municipal corporation intended to remove their posters on the grounds that a date had not been set for the general election. They said that on or around April 5, approximately 15 of their posters were removed without any notification to them. Further, they said on April 9, a motion was passed at a finance committee meeting of the municipal corporation in relation to the prohibition and removal of the posters. The claimants said they were not aware of the meeting and were given no opportunity to participate or be represented. ‘Natural’ part of campaign They asserted that the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulation, 1978 allows for the mounting of advertisements relating to a pending parliamentary election without the express consent of the municipal corporation. “The circumstances reveal that the general parliamentary elections, which are constitutionally due by or before December 2025, must be pending,” the claim said. “It would create an absurdity not to accept this period for which a parliamentary election shall become pending as advertisements are a natural part of a parliamentary campaign and form part of which a financial obligation to report would flow,” it said. The three prospective candidates said the municipal corporation is one of 15 local municipalities, noting that none of the others have expressed the same interpretation of the regulation – one which lends itself to “massive political interference and disturbance to the parliamentary candidates in the parish of St James”. They said that the municipal authority has provided no reasonable justification such as public safety concerns, substantial harm to the local amenity, or obstruction that necessitated the immediate removal of their political advertisements or signage without prior notice or an opportunity for rectification. The three insisted that there is no alternative remedy available to them, noting that a judicial review is the only way by which they can seek redress. “Given the public importance of the reliefs sought and the need for uniformity across the municipalities, this matter is best resolved by a judicial review court. Therefore, even if any alternative method of redress exists, judicial review is the most appropriate avenue. “The [municipal corporation’s] decision to remove political advertisements without prior notice or consultation, despite less intrusive alternatives being available, constitutes a disproportionate interference with the applicants’ democratic rights to political expression and participation. This unjustifiable and excessive exercise of statutory powers significantly prejudices the applicants’ campaign,” the claim said. kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:18:19",
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      • "article_id": "54418960356953708731c92a00e55772",
      • "title": "Scotiabank Kids Football Championship debuts in Jamaica",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/scotiabank-kids-football-championship-debuts-jamaica",
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      • "description": "The long-standing Scotiabank Kids Football Championship is set to hold its first staging in the English-speaking Caribbean, as Jamaica will host the under-11 5-a-side competition set to kick off this weekend.The competition, which began in 2014, has been held in Latin America since its inception and is set to make its exciting launch in Jamaica.In its inaugural staging locally, the competition will see more than 480 boys and girls from 60 primary and preparatory schools compete in the islandwide competition for a shot at the national title.The competition will be split into three regional competitions before the all-island final consisting of the three regional champion and the team awarded the fair play winner.Yanique Forbes Patrick, vice-president of public affairs and communications at Scotiabank, said the competition was more than just football, but a vehicle of change for the young boys and girls involved. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “This is a historic moment for Scotiabank,” she said at the media launch yesterday at the Scotiabank Centre.“At Scotiabank, we believe sports is one of the most powerful tools in shaping young minds and building stronger communities.“Football, in particular, teaches invaluable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, communication, respect and, most importantly, conflict resolution, which we know is needed in our society. These skills will extend far beyond football and well on into adulthood and last for a lifetime.”To help promote their belief of teaching personal skills and a healthy sense of community, Scotiabank announced points will also be awarded to schools with the best disciplinary performances throughout the weeks of competition.The competition will begin this weekend at Manchester High, on May 3 and May 4, with 18 schools scheduled to compete.The second week of action will see the competition move to Wespow Park in St James on May 10 and 11, with another 18 schools set to compete.The final weekend of regional action will come to Kingston and St Andrew at UWI Mona Bowl on May 17 and 18, where 25 schools are slated to compete.Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Michael Ricketts, who was in attendance at the media launch, praised the initiative as he underlined the importance of grassroots football development.“I am very aware how important this particularly exercise is,” Ricketts stated. “My personal interpretation of grassroots football is exactly what we’re seeing today.” gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "The long-standing Scotiabank Kids Football Championship is set to hold its first staging in the English-speaking Caribbean, as Jamaica will host the under-11 5-a-side competition set to kick off this weekend. The competition, which began in 2014, has been held in Latin America since its inception and is set to make its exciting launch in Jamaica. In its inaugural staging locally, the competition will see more than 480 boys and girls from 60 primary and preparatory schools compete in the islandwide competition for a shot at the national title. The competition will be split into three regional competitions before the all-island final consisting of the three regional champion and the team awarded the fair play winner. Yanique Forbes Patrick, vice-president of public affairs and communications at Scotiabank, said the competition was more than just football, but a vehicle of change for the young boys and girls involved. “This is a historic moment for Scotiabank,” she said at the media launch yesterday at the Scotiabank Centre. “At Scotiabank, we believe sports is one of the most powerful tools in shaping young minds and building stronger communities. “Football, in particular, teaches invaluable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, communication, respect and, most importantly, conflict resolution, which we know is needed in our society. These skills will extend far beyond football and well on into adulthood and last for a lifetime.” To help promote their belief of teaching personal skills and a healthy sense of community, Scotiabank announced points will also be awarded to schools with the best disciplinary performances throughout the weeks of competition. The competition will begin this weekend at Manchester High, on May 3 and May 4, with 18 schools scheduled to compete. The second week of action will see the competition move to Wespow Park in St James on May 10 and 11, with another 18 schools set to compete. The final weekend of regional action will come to Kingston and St Andrew at UWI Mona Bowl on May 17 and 18, where 25 schools are slated to compete. Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Michael Ricketts, who was in attendance at the media launch, praised the initiative as he underlined the importance of grassroots football development. “I am very aware how important this particularly exercise is,” Ricketts stated. “My personal interpretation of grassroots football is exactly what we’re seeing today.” gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:18:13",
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      {
      • "article_id": "b6036635700af1f7f149f4ac6ee33698",
      • "title": "Lawyers warn mandatory sentences may undermine justice principles",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/lawyers-warn-mandatory-sentences-may-undermine-justice-principles",
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      • "description": "A group of legal experts has suggested that the Government rethink punitive legislative trends and pursue comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to reduce violent crime.The suggestion by the Advocates Association of Jamaica (AAJ) comes days after the Senate approved significant increases in the mandatory minimum sentences for capital and non-capital murders that will keep convicted killers in prison for up to 50 years.The amendments will next go to the House of Representatives for approval before they become law.Among the strategies that could be employed, the AAJ suggested, are investments in education and vocational training for at-risk youth as well as job creation and expansion of the social safety net.It also suggested the promotion of restorative justice practices and public legal education and urged the Government to make strategic use of technology, including surveillance infrastructure, and provide support for mental health and community conflict-resolution initiatives. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “The Advocates Association of Jamaica expresses deep concern regarding the growing reliance on mandatory minimum sentencing as a tool to deter violent crime,” the group said in a statement yesterday.While acknowledging the urgent need to tackle violent crimes, the AAJ warned that higher mandatory minimum sentences “risk undermining core principles of justice, including judicial discretion, proportionality, and rehabilitation”.“Mandatory minimums assume that longer, uniform sentences deter crime. However, empirical evidence globally and locally fails to support this assumption,” the statement said.“Jamaica’s persistent firearm-related crime rates remain alarmingly high despite increasingly punitive legislation,” it added, making reference to the country’s upgraded Firearms Act, which provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for illegal gun possession.The amendments passed by the Senate were to the Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) and the Criminal Justice [Administration] Act (CJAA). New minimum sentences Under the amended OAPA, a person convicted for capital murder will now have to serve a mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison – up from 20 years – before being eligible for parole.The mandatory minimum sentence for non-capital murder is now 30 years.A person who is convicted for non-capital murder and sentenced to life in prison will now have to serve 40 years in prison – up from 15 years – before being eligible for parole.Where a set prison term – instead of a life sentence – is imposed for a non-capital murder conviction, the parole eligibility period is 20 years.A life sentence under the amended CJAA now equates to 50 years in prison, up from 30 years.The changes come amid public consternation over perceived slap-on-the-wrist sentences imposed by judges.Information Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon lauded the legislatives changes, describing them as a “vital and deliberate” response to the levels of violent crimes in the society.“No one should think that ‘I can commit murder and I can go and cool out for a bit in jail and can come back out after 15 years or so and commit another murder’. We are saying that is no longer the case,” Morris Dixon said during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.According to the AAJ, the changes position Jamaica among the jurisdictions with the harshest sentencing frameworks in the region.The group noted that the CJAA allows for reduced sentences in exchange for early guilty pleas.“Yet, under the current framework, even a 50 per cent discount on a 50-year sentence results in 25 years before parole,” the AAJ said, adding that this is still an “exceptionally severe outcome”.It warned that this could discourage early guilty pleas, overburden courts, and delay justice.“Furthermore, removing judicial discretion restricts the court’s ability to assess each case based on its unique circumstances. Justice is not served by a one-size-fits-all approach but by ensuring mitigating and aggravating factors are meaningfully weighed,” the AAJ said. livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "A group of legal experts has suggested that the Government rethink punitive legislative trends and pursue comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to reduce violent crime. The suggestion by the Advocates Association of Jamaica (AAJ) comes days after the Senate approved significant increases in the mandatory minimum sentences for capital and non-capital murders that will keep convicted killers in prison for up to 50 years. The amendments will next go to the House of Representatives for approval before they become law. Among the strategies that could be employed, the AAJ suggested, are investments in education and vocational training for at-risk youth as well as job creation and expansion of the social safety net. It also suggested the promotion of restorative justice practices and public legal education and urged the Government to make strategic use of technology, including surveillance infrastructure, and provide support for mental health and community conflict-resolution initiatives. “The Advocates Association of Jamaica expresses deep concern regarding the growing reliance on mandatory minimum sentencing as a tool to deter violent crime,” the group said in a statement yesterday. While acknowledging the urgent need to tackle violent crimes, the AAJ warned that higher mandatory minimum sentences “risk undermining core principles of justice, including judicial discretion, proportionality, and rehabilitation”. “Mandatory minimums assume that longer, uniform sentences deter crime. However, empirical evidence globally and locally fails to support this assumption,” the statement said. “Jamaica’s persistent firearm-related crime rates remain alarmingly high despite increasingly punitive legislation,” it added, making reference to the country’s upgraded Firearms Act, which provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for illegal gun possession. The amendments passed by the Senate were to the Offences Against the Person Act (OAPA) and the Criminal Justice [Administration] Act (CJAA). New minimum sentences Under the amended OAPA, a person convicted for capital murder will now have to serve a mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison – up from 20 years – before being eligible for parole. The mandatory minimum sentence for non-capital murder is now 30 years. A person who is convicted for non-capital murder and sentenced to life in prison will now have to serve 40 years in prison – up from 15 years – before being eligible for parole. Where a set prison term – instead of a life sentence – is imposed for a non-capital murder conviction, the parole eligibility period is 20 years. A life sentence under the amended CJAA now equates to 50 years in prison, up from 30 years. The changes come amid public consternation over perceived slap-on-the-wrist sentences imposed by judges. Information Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon lauded the legislatives changes, describing them as a “vital and deliberate” response to the levels of violent crimes in the society. “No one should think that ‘I can commit murder and I can go and cool out for a bit in jail and can come back out after 15 years or so and commit another murder’. We are saying that is no longer the case,” Morris Dixon said during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday. According to the AAJ, the changes position Jamaica among the jurisdictions with the harshest sentencing frameworks in the region. The group noted that the CJAA allows for reduced sentences in exchange for early guilty pleas. “Yet, under the current framework, even a 50 per cent discount on a 50-year sentence results in 25 years before parole,” the AAJ said, adding that this is still an “exceptionally severe outcome”. It warned that this could discourage early guilty pleas, overburden courts, and delay justice. “Furthermore, removing judicial discretion restricts the court’s ability to assess each case based on its unique circumstances. Justice is not served by a one-size-fits-all approach but by ensuring mitigating and aggravating factors are meaningfully weighed,” the AAJ said. livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:18:10",
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      {
      • "article_id": "2b1fe339db5b4d868fcef14ada88a612",
      • "title": "Level the playing field",
      • "link": "https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2025/05/02/level-playing-field-20250502-0500-088050/",
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      • "description": "ROSE HALL, St James — Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President Robin Russell has reiterated a call for greater oversight as it relates to Airbnbs, given that some smaller resort properties are facing unfair competition.Russell, who has long been lobbying for regulations in that segment of the tourism industry, explained that his advocacy stems from the trend of some properties changing their business models to Airbnbs, even though they have the physical structures of small hotels and villas.“That’s the big challenge now; no longer is the Airbnb market where somebody is renting a couch or somebody renting a room in their house, it is persons with massive amounts of rooms, it is now a big business, and as such it needs to be regulated and it is hurting the small player,” Russell said at the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) career expo in Montego Bay on Thursday.“It’s no longer a little man on the side; these are mega businesses doing business under the table and it’s about time that we not only regulate but we bring some normalcy to the market; we need to level the playing field,” he insisted.He said that it is becoming standard practice for several vendors of accommodations in the local tourism to use the Airbnb concept to attract guests to their properties.“There are some places with 100 rooms, there are some management properties that manage different Airbnb complexes, and so and they have more rooms than some small hotels and they are selling it as such,” he said.Jamaica has been benefiting from accommodations linked to Airbnb arrangements over the last few years. In 2023, it was reported that more than US$100 million had been earned from that segment of Jamaica’s tourism product. It also accounted for 29 per cent of stopover visitors at that point.Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett had previously stated that regulations were coming for Airbnbs but not much has happened in that regard.However, for Russell, what this delay has meant is that there are some traditional operators who have been circumventing the process by switching, which doesn’t bode well for certain standards in the industry.“We need to regulate and, again, we are advocating for it because I can’t own a villa where I am licensed and I am doing everything in standard to Jamaican laws and the person next door to me, the same type of villa, is not licensed, nor paying any taxes and I have to compete against them. Obviously we are in two different playing fields,” he argued.“When we talk about regulation, we are just talking about simply standards, simply safety standards that need to be upheld — a fire certificate, a food handler’s permit,” he said.Further to that, he said regulations will be beneficial to the people working in that sector as it will ensure that they are paying taxes and other statutory deductions “because you have a lot of staff that are working in these industries that will never get a National Housing Trust benefit or National Insurance Scheme benefit”.These properties, he said, are able to charge a bit less than their counterparts because the costs associated with the maintenance of certain standards are not a feature of their operations.“It’s hurting the small players who attract the same market as the Airbnb person. We’re seeing it in places like Negril where you are just seeing these pop-up of Airbnbs and they are doing well, but the villa beside you is not and there is a simple reason, a dollar when you book a room means a lot. [If] you see something for $50 and you see something for $48 and is the exact same thing, you’re going to take the $48-room,” Russell said.However, he made it clear that his call is not about fighting that segment of the industry, but instead, it’s about making things fairer in a place where loopholes are being used.“I think that’s where we need to get to, where we are able to level the playing field that small operators can survive,” Russell said.",
      • "content": "ROSE HALL, St James — Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President Robin Russell has reiterated a call for greater oversight as it relates to Airbnbs, given that some smaller resort properties are facing unfair competition. Russell, who has long been lobbying for regulations in that segment of the tourism industry, explained that his advocacy stems from the trend of some properties changing their business models to Airbnbs, even though they have the physical structures of small hotels and villas. “That’s the big challenge now; no longer is the Airbnb market where somebody is renting a couch or somebody renting a room in their house, it is persons with massive amounts of rooms, it is now a big business, and as such it needs to be regulated and it is hurting the small player,” Russell said at the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) career expo in Montego Bay on Thursday. “It’s no longer a little man on the side; these are mega businesses doing business under the table and it’s about time that we not only regulate but we bring some normalcy to the market; we need to level the playing field,” he insisted. He said that it is becoming standard practice for several vendors of accommodations in the local tourism to use the Airbnb concept to attract guests to their properties. “There are some places with 100 rooms, there are some management properties that manage different Airbnb complexes, and so and they have more rooms than some small hotels and they are selling it as such,” he said. Jamaica has been benefiting from accommodations linked to Airbnb arrangements over the last few years. In 2023, it was reported that more than US$100 million had been earned from that segment of Jamaica’s tourism product. It also accounted for 29 per cent of stopover visitors at that point. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett had previously stated that regulations were coming for Airbnbs but not much has happened in that regard. However, for Russell, what this delay has meant is that there are some traditional operators who have been circumventing the process by switching, which doesn’t bode well for certain standards in the industry. “We need to regulate and, again, we are advocating for it because I can’t own a villa where I am licensed and I am doing everything in standard to Jamaican laws and the person next door to me, the same type of villa, is not licensed, nor paying any taxes and I have to compete against them. Obviously we are in two different playing fields,” he argued. “When we talk about regulation, we are just talking about simply standards, simply safety standards that need to be upheld — a fire certificate, a food handler’s permit,” he said. Further to that, he said regulations will be beneficial to the people working in that sector as it will ensure that they are paying taxes and other statutory deductions “because you have a lot of staff that are working in these industries that will never get a National Housing Trust benefit or National Insurance Scheme benefit”. These properties, he said, are able to charge a bit less than their counterparts because the costs associated with the maintenance of certain standards are not a feature of their operations. “It’s hurting the small players who attract the same market as the Airbnb person. We’re seeing it in places like Negril where you are just seeing these pop-up of Airbnbs and they are doing well, but the villa beside you is not and there is a simple reason, a dollar when you book a room means a lot. [If] you see something for $50 and you see something for $48 and is the exact same thing, you’re going to take the $48-room,” Russell said. However, he made it clear that his call is not about fighting that segment of the industry, but instead, it’s about making things fairer in a place where loopholes are being used. “I think that’s where we need to get to, where we are able to level the playing field that small operators can survive,” Russell said.",
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      • "article_id": "fb6a71c78a30efee063820d1f2bbcef8",
      • "title": "‘We don’t understand what’s going on’",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/we-dont-understand-whats-going",
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      • "description": "The resurgence of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika remains a pressing concern across Latin America and the Caribbean. In response, top virologists gathered yesterday at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus for a workshop hosted in partnership with the Global Virus Network (GVN).Dr Scott Weaver, director at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, addressed health professionals and researchers, offering insights into recent trends and vaccine developments.Weaver linked the spike in dengue cases in 2024 to multiple factors.“Most people attribute, at least partly, to climate change, urbanisation, the usual factors associated with emergence of these arboviruses,” he said. “I don’t think climate or urbanisation explains all of this ... . We really just don’t understand what’s going on here.”He pointed to an unexpected dip in dengue cases around 2017–2018 possibly due to Zika virus exposure. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “We think that was cross-protective immunity from Zika, but it only lasted a couple of years,” he said, also noting that both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.Weaver, who has worked on vaccine development and advised on several virus-related panels, provided a critical look at dengue vaccines.“The first vaccine ... produced by Sanofi ... turned out to enhance disease when native people were vaccinated, and then subsequently, they were infected by dengue virus,” he said. “This vaccine has virtually disappeared from use.”A newer option developed by Takeda showed some promise.“The dengue two part of the vaccine is dominant ... . The other three serotypes don’t respond with as robust immunity and, therefore, protection isn’t very strong against all the serotypes. But so far, there’s no major problem with enhancement,” he explained.However, he was more hopeful about a vaccine developed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and licensed to the Butantan Institute in Brazil.“This one ... appears to be truly quadrivalent in the immune response. Antibodies, including neutralising antibodies, are developed in all four serotypes,” he said. “I expect it will be licensed within the next year ... and I think it’s going to be a real game changer for dengue.” ‘Big economic impact’ Turning to chikungunya, Weaver emphasised its severity.“The majority of cases are symptomatic, and a lot of patients develop very severe and often chronic arthralgia,” he said. “So it has a big economic impact ... . This was shown here in Jamaica as well as anywhere else.”He explained how chikungunya’s debilitating effects reduce its spread in larger countries. “We think chikungunya just spreads much less efficiently... because it puts people in bed or often in the hospital,” he said. “Jamaica has a more concentrated population, ... so gradual spread can work more efficiently.”Weaver traced the virus’s arrival in the Americas to two 2013-2014 introductions from Asia and Africa. The East/Central/South African (ECSA) strain has since become dominant.Weaver traced its arrival in the Americas to two introductions, one from Asia in 2013 and another from Africa in 2014. “This strain seems to be taking over,” he said of the East/Central/South African lineage.On vaccines, Weaver highlighted Valneva’s IXCHIQ, a live attenuated vaccine licensed in Brazil that offers strong single-dose protection – though not ideal for pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals. He also praised Bavarian Nordic’s Vimkunya, a virus-like particle vaccine recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.“It contains no genetic material ... and it’s giving very robust and long-lived immunity after a single dose,” Weaver said. “It’s going to be better for travellers, ... and good in endemic areas if this immunity turns out to be very long-lived.”He also flagged a re-emerging threat: the Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV).“This is a virus that we didn’t pay much attention to for a long time,” he said. “But it’s very serious in both people and horses. Up to 10 per cent have respiratory failure. Case fatality overall about four per cent.”Weaver urged sustained vigilance and fair vaccine access.“We have the science. Now it’s about infrastructure, education, and delivery,” he said.The workshop took place at UWI Mona’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, hosted by the GVN, which is a coalition of top virologists from more than 29 countries focused on viral- disease prevention. Jamaica joined the network in 2019, positioning itself as a regional hub for research and response. mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "The resurgence of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika remains a pressing concern across Latin America and the Caribbean. In response, top virologists gathered yesterday at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus for a workshop hosted in partnership with the Global Virus Network (GVN). Dr Scott Weaver, director at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, addressed health professionals and researchers, offering insights into recent trends and vaccine developments. Weaver linked the spike in dengue cases in 2024 to multiple factors. “Most people attribute, at least partly, to climate change, urbanisation, the usual factors associated with emergence of these arboviruses,” he said. “I don’t think climate or urbanisation explains all of this ... . We really just don’t understand what’s going on here.” He pointed to an unexpected dip in dengue cases around 2017–2018 possibly due to Zika virus exposure. “We think that was cross-protective immunity from Zika, but it only lasted a couple of years,” he said, also noting that both viruses are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Weaver, who has worked on vaccine development and advised on several virus-related panels, provided a critical look at dengue vaccines. “The first vaccine ... produced by Sanofi ... turned out to enhance disease when native people were vaccinated, and then subsequently, they were infected by dengue virus,” he said. “This vaccine has virtually disappeared from use.” A newer option developed by Takeda showed some promise. “The dengue two part of the vaccine is dominant ... . The other three serotypes don’t respond with as robust immunity and, therefore, protection isn’t very strong against all the serotypes. But so far, there’s no major problem with enhancement,” he explained. However, he was more hopeful about a vaccine developed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and licensed to the Butantan Institute in Brazil. “This one ... appears to be truly quadrivalent in the immune response. Antibodies, including neutralising antibodies, are developed in all four serotypes,” he said. “I expect it will be licensed within the next year ... and I think it’s going to be a real game changer for dengue.” ‘Big economic impact’ Turning to chikungunya, Weaver emphasised its severity. “The majority of cases are symptomatic, and a lot of patients develop very severe and often chronic arthralgia,” he said. “So it has a big economic impact ... . This was shown here in Jamaica as well as anywhere else.” He explained how chikungunya’s debilitating effects reduce its spread in larger countries. “We think chikungunya just spreads much less efficiently... because it puts people in bed or often in the hospital,” he said. “Jamaica has a more concentrated population, ... so gradual spread can work more efficiently.” Weaver traced the virus’s arrival in the Americas to two 2013-2014 introductions from Asia and Africa. The East/Central/South African (ECSA) strain has since become dominant. Weaver traced its arrival in the Americas to two introductions, one from Asia in 2013 and another from Africa in 2014. “This strain seems to be taking over,” he said of the East/Central/South African lineage. On vaccines, Weaver highlighted Valneva’s IXCHIQ, a live attenuated vaccine licensed in Brazil that offers strong single-dose protection – though not ideal for pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals. He also praised Bavarian Nordic’s Vimkunya, a virus-like particle vaccine recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. “It contains no genetic material ... and it’s giving very robust and long-lived immunity after a single dose,” Weaver said. “It’s going to be better for travellers, ... and good in endemic areas if this immunity turns out to be very long-lived.” He also flagged a re-emerging threat: the Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). “This is a virus that we didn’t pay much attention to for a long time,” he said. “But it’s very serious in both people and horses. Up to 10 per cent have respiratory failure. Case fatality overall about four per cent.” Weaver urged sustained vigilance and fair vaccine access. “We have the science. Now it’s about infrastructure, education, and delivery,” he said. The workshop took place at UWI Mona’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, hosted by the GVN, which is a coalition of top virologists from more than 29 countries focused on viral- disease prevention. Jamaica joined the network in 2019, positioning itself as a regional hub for research and response. mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:17:57",
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      • "article_id": "6d5cc5ba474b99ad0129ffcf57996e4f",
      • "title": "Mount Pleasant under JFF investigation",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/mount-pleasant-under-jff-investigation",
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      • "description": "Gregory Daley, chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) competition’s committee, has confirmed an open investigation into Mount Pleasant Football Academy regarding the allegations of fielding ineligible players in the Jamaica Premier...",
      • "content": "Gregory Daley, chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) competition’s committee, has confirmed an open investigation into Mount Pleasant Football Academy regarding the allegations of fielding ineligible players in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL). JPL league leaders Mount Pleasant are currently under the magnifying glass after defending champions Cavalier lodged a formal complaint against the St Ann-based club. Cavalier’s complaint surrounds Mount Pleasant’s acquisition of the Haitian duo of Angelo Exilus and Jeudy Jhonson from Real Hope FC in the January transfer window. Despite this, Exilus and Johnson remained registered players for Real Hope and represented the club in their Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures on February 4 and 11 after the January transfer had closed. FIFA, Concacaf, and JFF regulations prohibit a player from being registered for more than one club at the same time or for a transfer to be made after the transfer window has closed. Daley confirmed that the JFF competition’s committee has opened an investigation into the situation. “We’re meeting as a competition’s committee to look into the allegations.” Daley told The Gleaner . “We have a meeting at 6 p.m. (yesterday) to look at what the allegations are.” Should Mount Pleasant be found guilty of the allegations, any possible sanctions could have drastic effects on the JPL standings and the upcoming playoffs. Mount Pleasant currently lead the standings with 90 points, 15 clear of their closest rivals, Montego Bay United, who sit second on 75. The Gleaner, yesterday, reported that a highly placed individual in the JFF, under the cloak of anonymity, said that should the ruling go against Mount Pleasant, the club could face a points deduction and fall as far as third in the standings. The awarded points could also have repercussions on the race for playoff places and the current relegation battle. Daley, however, declined to speak on any possible sanctions levied on the club as he maintained thatthey are still investigating the matter. “We are still in the opening stages of the investigation, so I don’t think I can speak on that. For me to comment on a points deduction or any sanction like that, I think that would be pre-emptive.” CONCACAF INVOLVEMENT With Johnson and Exilus’ allegations stemming from their representing Real Hope in a Concacaf competition, reports allege that the regional governing body is now involved in the investigation and has made a request for all relevant documents. Daley, however, has declined to comment on the claims of Concacaf’s involvement and gave no comment on a possible timeline for a resolution. “That is not something that I can comment on,” Daley said. “I can’t comment on a timeline as everything will have to be decided in our meetings.” TIMELY RESOLUTION Owen Hill, CEO of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), however, hopes for a timely resolution to the investigations. Hill said the PFJL will play no role in the investigations as it falls solely under the jurisdiction of the JFF competition’s committee. “There is no role that the PFJL will play as this is strictly a committee matter, and we await the outcome,” he said. “We are anticipating that the investigations will be completed in a timely manner that we can ensure the continuation of the playoff planning is moving according to the design process.” Mount Pleasant are next scheduled for action on Sunday. They will close out the regular season against Humble Lions at Effortville Community Centre. The opening round of the JPL playoffs is set to begin on May 8, with the finals scheduled for May 23. gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:17:40",
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      • "article_id": "ffcd81bc0277ef9d6b81a7d1df27589f",
      • "title": "Jamaica slips in World Press Freedom Index",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/jamaica-slips-world-press-freedom-index",
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      • "description": "Jamaica has slipped two places on the World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 26th out of 180 countries.Despite the decline, it remains the second-highest ranked Caribbean nation, behind Trinidad and Tobago, which climbed six places to 19th and now leads the region.The 23rd annual World Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to mark the May 3 observation of World Press Freedom Day, continues to spotlight global media conditions. Norway retained its top position while North Korea remained last at 180th.The report noted that while Jamaica has seen improvements in press freedom over the past two decades, a growing mistrust between the media and government officials is eroding institutional respect for the press.“There is a growing gulf of distrust between government officials and the media that has contributed to a decline in institutional respect for press freedom,” the report stated. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Additionally, RSF highlighted that while physical threats to journalists remain a visible issue, economic pressure has become a more significant threat to media freedom. It further noted that the economic indicator on the RSF World Press Freedom Index now stands at an unprecedented and critical low as its decline continued in 2025. “As a result, the global state of press freedom is now classified as a “difficult situation” for the first time in the history of the index,” the report indicated. Financial pressure Economic pressure, it said, is one of the factors seriously weakening the media. Ownership concentration, pressure from advertisers and financial backers, restricted public aid, absent or allocated in an opaque manner, is largely blamed in part for contributing to the economic pressure.Anne Bocande, RSF editorial director, said: “Guaranteeing freedom, independence, and plurality in today’s media landscape requires stable and transparent financial conditions. Without economic independence, there can be no press freedom.“When news media are financially strained, they are drawn into a race to attract audiences at the expense of quality reporting and can fall prey to the oligarchs and public authorities who seek to exploit them,” Bocande added. editorial@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "Jamaica has slipped two places on the World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 26th out of 180 countries. Despite the decline, it remains the second-highest ranked Caribbean nation, behind Trinidad and Tobago, which climbed six places to 19th and now leads the region. The 23rd annual World Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to mark the May 3 observation of World Press Freedom Day, continues to spotlight global media conditions. Norway retained its top position while North Korea remained last at 180th. The report noted that while Jamaica has seen improvements in press freedom over the past two decades, a growing mistrust between the media and government officials is eroding institutional respect for the press. “There is a growing gulf of distrust between government officials and the media that has contributed to a decline in institutional respect for press freedom,” the report stated. Additionally, RSF highlighted that while physical threats to journalists remain a visible issue, economic pressure has become a more significant threat to media freedom. It further noted that the economic indicator on the RSF World Press Freedom Index now stands at an unprecedented and critical low as its decline continued in 2025. “As a result, the global state of press freedom is now classified as a “difficult situation” for the first time in the history of the index,” the report indicated. Financial pressure Economic pressure, it said, is one of the factors seriously weakening the media. Ownership concentration, pressure from advertisers and financial backers, restricted public aid, absent or allocated in an opaque manner, is largely blamed in part for contributing to the economic pressure. Anne Bocande, RSF editorial director, said: “Guaranteeing freedom, independence, and plurality in today’s media landscape requires stable and transparent financial conditions. Without economic independence, there can be no press freedom. “When news media are financially strained, they are drawn into a race to attract audiences at the expense of quality reporting and can fall prey to the oligarchs and public authorities who seek to exploit them,” Bocande added. editorial@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:17:31",
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      {
      • "article_id": "0f0ff38045907ae93a20c5799154545b",
      • "title": "CHEC Mammee Bay development under way",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20250502/chec-mammee-bay-development-under-way",
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      • "description": "The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has commenced construction in Mammee Bay, St Ann, in a section of the Roaring River watershed area under the 50-year US$700-million concession agreement with the Jamaican Government to build the north-south highway.Preparation of the land began a few months ago, with actual construction starting last month.On Thursday, a spokesperson at the CHEC St Ann office told The Gleaner that Phase One of the project is slated for completion in 2026 but was unable to provide further details.However, the project is expected to be spread over six phases and is earmarked for completion in 2030.Under the agreement, the development project will cover 740 acres, with construction of a hotel and apartments, including accommodation for 4,000 people being touted as part of the deal. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. The project will provide jobs for locals and further add to the number of housing projects that have taken place in St Ann over the past decade.However, the project has also fuelled controversy, with some residents and environmentalists opposing the move as the development sits in the centre of the watershed area that is responsible for supplying water to a large section of the parish.In January last year, residents at a public consultation raised several issues, including traffic congestion, sewage and water supply, and education.In August, The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM) called for the Government to halt the development and later staged a peaceful protest near the site.At the time, JaBBEM President Dr Devon Taylor said CHEC had commenced destruction of part of the Rio Bueno watershed on the Roaring River Estate in St Ann in preparation to construct “an oversized luxury housing development” based on environmental permits granted by the Government.The group, at one point, even considered court action if the Government did not halt the project. As work began on the property, several vendors descended on the location, constructing wooden stalls on the roadside near the entrance to the construction site. However, they were quickly removed by the authorities. editorial@gleanerjm.com",
      • "content": "The China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has commenced construction in Mammee Bay, St Ann, in a section of the Roaring River watershed area under the 50-year US$700-million concession agreement with the Jamaican Government to build the north-south highway. Preparation of the land began a few months ago, with actual construction starting last month. On Thursday, a spokesperson at the CHEC St Ann office told The Gleaner that Phase One of the project is slated for completion in 2026 but was unable to provide further details. However, the project is expected to be spread over six phases and is earmarked for completion in 2030. Under the agreement, the development project will cover 740 acres, with construction of a hotel and apartments, including accommodation for 4,000 people being touted as part of the deal. The project will provide jobs for locals and further add to the number of housing projects that have taken place in St Ann over the past decade. However, the project has also fuelled controversy, with some residents and environmentalists opposing the move as the development sits in the centre of the watershed area that is responsible for supplying water to a large section of the parish. In January last year, residents at a public consultation raised several issues, including traffic congestion, sewage and water supply, and education. In August, The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM) called for the Government to halt the development and later staged a peaceful protest near the site. At the time, JaBBEM President Dr Devon Taylor said CHEC had commenced destruction of part of the Rio Bueno watershed on the Roaring River Estate in St Ann in preparation to construct “an oversized luxury housing development” based on environmental permits granted by the Government. The group, at one point, even considered court action if the Government did not halt the project. As work began on the property, several vendors descended on the location, constructing wooden stalls on the roadside near the entrance to the construction site. However, they were quickly removed by the authorities. editorial@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:17:07",
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      • "article_id": "31ff9bbdeb00d2adb32ac9324cba2f80",
      • "title": "Tips to reduce and tame workplace clutter",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lifestyle/20250502/tips-reduce-and-tame-workplace-clutter",
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      • "description": "NEW YORK (AP): It starts with a Post-it note scrawled with a reminder. Then a chocolate bar you’ll probably eat later. An extra charging cord or two find their way into the mix, along with a laptop, a folder full of projects, a lanyard from a...",
      • "content": "NEW YORK (AP) : It starts with a Post-it note scrawled with a reminder. Then a chocolate bar you’ll probably eat later. An extra charging cord or two find their way into the mix, along with a laptop, a folder full of projects, a lanyard from a recent conference, and a permission slip sent home from school. And soon, the pile of things on your desk that are set aside for later becomes a giant, overwhelming stack. The chaos of modern life and the ease of accumulating cheap items through online shopping have contributed to an abundance of clutter. That’s true in home offices and traditional workspaces alike. And those jumbles of misplaced belongings can drain our mental resources, distracting us from work and dragging down our productivity. There are many reasons we accumulate clutter. Sometimes we don’t know where to put whatever’s landed in our hands. Other times a paper represents a task — whether it’s paying a bill or making a phone call — that we can’t tackle right away. A messy workspace can be intimidating. But you don’t have to tackle it all in one day. Here are some tips to help. START BY SORTING Many professional organisers suggest sorting objects of the same category together. That way, you can see how much of each group you have and let go of any extras. After gathering office supplies, you may find you have more staplers or charging cords than you’ll ever need. Sort on a clean surface such as a folding table and set up bins for trash, recycling, and papers to shred. Bankers boxes are convenient for sorting, and you can label them with sticky notes for categories such as electronics, office supplies, and keepsakes, he said. Once you have sorted items into categories, then go through each box to eliminate what you don’t need. TACKLING PILES OF PAPERS When facing a mass of paperwork, consider whether you’re legally required to keep certain files. Divide papers into four groups: running files, which you need to act on; sitting files, which you need to access regularly; sleeping files, which you need to keep just in case but can store remotely; and dead files, which you no longer need. DIGITAL DECLUTTERING When organising digital files, take the same approach as paper: Sort into categories then reduce. Work in short bursts of time to prevent decision fatigue. With presentations, delete drafts and keep the final product. If you have photos of an event, choose the best two or three and delete the rest. With email, ask yourself, “Will I need this email again to get my job done? Will it provide knowledge or motivation for future work?” If the answer is no, delete it. In some email programnes, you can automatically send mail from a specific client or team into a folder. If you have thousands of unread emails, you can move those to a digital archive at the end of the year.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:16:56",
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      • "article_id": "e4143b9c1f482f3501fcb5e569cc51ec",
      • "title": "JPS empowers customers to ‘Shine On’",
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      • "description": "The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has launched its new corporate campaign, Shine On, aimed at showcasing the vital role electricity plays in the success of its customers. The campaign features JPS Energy Ambassador Ding Dong and reggae songbird Lila Ike, two influential figures who will help amplify the message of how reliable energy enables people and businesses to thrive.“The Shine On campaign is a pivotal moment for JPS to reconnect with our customers and stakeholders in a powerful, meaningful way,” said Winsome Callum, director of corporate communications at the JPS. “JPS is at the heart of Jamaica’s success whether it’s powering homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, or the moments that matter most. This campaign will help us to show Jamaicans the work we have been doing so they can shine in the various areas of their lives.”As part of this initiative, the JPS said it was reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement.Over the past five years, the company has invested an average of J$12 billion annually in infrastructure upgrades. In 2025, the JPS is set to invest J$17 billion to enhance grid reliability and improve service across the island. Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. “We’re not just keeping the lights on. We’re ensuring that our customers can experience a level of ease when doing business with us,” Callum continued. “The upcoming opening of our new hub in Portmore, St Catherine, is testament to the fact that we are listening when our customers speak. Though usage of the MyJPS Mobile App has increased, we understand that a small subset of our customer base still prefers a physical connection.”Additionally, the JPS has pledged their continued support for underserved communities with skills training, scholarships, and disaster relief efforts through their Community Renewal Team and the JPS Foundation.Reshima Kelly Williams, brand marketing manager at the JPS, shared her excitement about the campaign’s influencers. “We are thrilled to have Ding Dong and Lila Ike join us in amplifying this important message. Both share values that resonate with the JPS, and their passion, creativity, and community commitment make this collaboration a perfect fit.”The Shine On campaign celebrates the ongoing work the JPS does to improve the lives of Jamaicans and demonstrates how energy is a driving force in societal progress.",
      • "content": "The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has launched its new corporate campaign, Shine On, aimed at showcasing the vital role electricity plays in the success of its customers. The campaign features JPS Energy Ambassador Ding Dong and reggae songbird Lila Ike, two influential figures who will help amplify the message of how reliable energy enables people and businesses to thrive. “The Shine On campaign is a pivotal moment for JPS to reconnect with our customers and stakeholders in a powerful, meaningful way,” said Winsome Callum, director of corporate communications at the JPS. “JPS is at the heart of Jamaica’s success whether it’s powering homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, or the moments that matter most. This campaign will help us to show Jamaicans the work we have been doing so they can shine in the various areas of their lives.” As part of this initiative, the JPS said it was reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement. Over the past five years, the company has invested an average of J$12 billion annually in infrastructure upgrades. In 2025, the JPS is set to invest J$17 billion to enhance grid reliability and improve service across the island. “We’re not just keeping the lights on. We’re ensuring that our customers can experience a level of ease when doing business with us,” Callum continued. “The upcoming opening of our new hub in Portmore, St Catherine, is testament to the fact that we are listening when our customers speak. Though usage of the MyJPS Mobile App has increased, we understand that a small subset of our customer base still prefers a physical connection.” Additionally, the JPS has pledged their continued support for underserved communities with skills training, scholarships, and disaster relief efforts through their Community Renewal Team and the JPS Foundation. Reshima Kelly Williams, brand marketing manager at the JPS, shared her excitement about the campaign’s influencers. “We are thrilled to have Ding Dong and Lila Ike join us in amplifying this important message. Both share values that resonate with the JPS, and their passion, creativity, and community commitment make this collaboration a perfect fit.” The Shine On campaign celebrates the ongoing work the JPS does to improve the lives of Jamaicans and demonstrates how energy is a driving force in societal progress.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:16:37",
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      • "article_id": "c5157c9ebd6974913398fb06d75db1bf",
      • "title": "‘From Stuck to Strategic’",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lifestyle/20250502/stuck-strategic",
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      • "description": "Focus. Courage. Purpose. These are the pillars of ELEVATE: A Guide to Clarity, Confidence...",
      • "content": "Focus. Courage. Purpose. These are the pillars of ELEVATE: A Guide to Clarity, Confidence & Career Alignment , the debut workbook from corporate executive, success strategist, and leadership coach Anjell Edwards. Designed for ambitious women in the middle of career transitions or in pursuit of more purposeful professional lives, ELEVATE offers practical strategies, guided prompts, and faith-based insight to support women as they level up. Whether stepping into leadership or pivoting into a new field, Edwards’ goal is clear — to equip women with tools to find direction, build belief in themselves, and boldly embrace their next chapter. “ ELEVATE was born out of my desire to help women move from stuck to strategic,” Edwards explained. “It is more than a workbook, it is a compass for the woman who knows that she is meant for more but needs a clear plan to get there.” The workbook was officially launched during her inaugural ELEVATE Career Accelerator Workshop for Women on April 5 in Kingston — aone-day experience packed with immersive coaching, expert-led breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and personal branding support. Attendees of the five-hour event were the first to access the workbook and also received curated gift bags, professional headshots, and confidence-boosting activities designed to propel their personal and professional growth. Currently an assistant vice-president at Guardian Life Limited and a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Edwards carefully designed the entire experience to help women clarify their goals, refine their personal brand, and lead with purpose. “This is only the beginning,” Edwards said. “My mission is to help women lead careers that reflect their calling, not just their qualifications. ELEVATE is the starting point.” lifestyle@gleanerjm.com Anjell Edwards’ three tips to help women elevate 1. Clarify the value you bring to the space and leverage it There is something unmistakable that you bring to any space you enter – a secret sauce, a superpower, a gift. Discover what that is and maximise that innate advantage. Are you a great public speaker, a master at math or strong at networking? Identify ways to utilise your skillsets optimally and stand out from the crowd. 2. Show up with confidence Whether in person, on paper or online, put your best foot forward. Make a stellar impression by dressing the part, curating your social media spaces with intentionality and representing your experiences effectively with your résumé for possible growth opportunities. 3. Combat limiting beliefs Remind yourself that you are THAT girl, regardless of your past, failures or shortcomings. Actively challenge your own thoughts and beliefs that tell you that you are inadequate, undeserving or unworthy. Nurture yourself with kind words, affirmations and encouragement.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:16:22",
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      • "article_id": "57c7683538e7dfff46941c896028b2dd",
      • "title": "New Sept deadline for long-delayed parent suite at Bustamante Hospital",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/new-sept-deadline-long-delayed-parent-suite-bustamante-hospital",
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      • "description": "Expressing disappointment over construction delays, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has announced a September deadline for completion of the overnight-stay suite for parents at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) in St...",
      • "content": "Expressing disappointment over construction delays, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has announced a September deadline for completion of the overnight-stay suite for parents at the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) in St Andrew. “It is concerning to me that the facility has taken so long to be completed. Everybody knows that the deadlines are well past,” Tufton said during a site visit on Thursday. The $120-million project, which broke ground in 2021, was initially scheduled for completion in 2023. Funded by the National Health Fund and the National Housing Trust (NHT), the 30-room facility is being developed in collaboration with the South East Regional Health Authority. Delays stemmed from issues with a previous NHT contractor and internal debates over whether the building should be repurposed as a paediatric cardiac ward. In April last year, the Government confirmed that the structure would retain its original purpose, targeting summer 2024 for completion. Tufton noted that a new contractor was brought on board and he was informed that the building was now 98 per cent complete. “We are going to hold them to it – The NHT, that is project-managing the process – and hopefully, we will have this overnight suite in place for family members,” he said on Thursday. The current construction is considered Phase One, with future expansions planned for paediatric cardiac care, oncology, and general paediatrics. Visiting policy Tufton also announced that the ministry is reviewing the hospital’s visiting policy to potentially allow parents more time with their hospitalsed children. A petition launched last year by a parent advocating for 24-hour visiting hours at the BHC has gathered more than 25,000 signatures. “What we would need to do is to work out that protocol, which I have asked my team at the ministry to look at. If not start fully – or certainly not start with a 24-hour cycle – start with a longer cycle than what is allowed in visitation hours,” he said. However, he said that certain conditions such as space and sanitary conveniences would have to be established in order to facilitate this. “You want to ensure that patient care and the delivery are not impeded or affected by the presence of a family member,” he said. “In the jurisdictions where it occurs, family members are allowed to do certain things that actually take the stress off the nurse who is on duty. They help to feed the patient, for example. They may even help to clean the patients ... under certain guidelines,” he added. BHC Senior Medical Officer Dr Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson said parents, currently, can stay overnight in a small on-site facility with only six rooms, each costing $500 per night. Priority is given to out-of-town families, who are also provided with basic amenities. She acknowledged that while the hospital aims to support family presence, the appropriate facilities need to be in place. “We try to allow parents to stay as long as possible with children, but overnight is an issue because we don’t have space. Otherwise, they are going to be on the outside, and that’s not necessarily safe,” she said. sashana.small@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:16:10",
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      {
      • "article_id": "4094e2dd888f972dff7810c2bc2d3fe0",
      • "title": "Man U, Spurs take commanding leads in Europa semis",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/man-u-spurs-take-commanding-leads-europa-semis",
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      • "description": "LONDON (AP): The rescue act is on for Manchester United and Tottenham. Big wins for both teams in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals yesterday kept alive their hopes of lifting a major trophy and qualifying for the Champions League....",
      • "content": "LONDON (AP): The rescue act is on for Manchester United and Tottenham. Big wins for both teams in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals yesterday kept alive their hopes of lifting a major trophy and qualifying for the Champions League. United beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at the San Mames in Spain and Tottenham won 3-1 at home against Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt. Both United and Spurs have endured miserable domestic campaigns and are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League. But European club football’s second-tier Europa League could yet see one of them salvage their season. Not only is silverware on the line, but so is an unlikely route to the lucrative Champions League. United in control United produced possibly their finest performance of the season to take a commanding first-leg lead against 10-man Bilbao. Casemiro headed Ruben Amorim’s team in front in the 30th minute after a cross from Harry Maguire. It was 2-0 seven minutes later when Rasmus Hojlund was brought down in the box by Dani Vivian and a penalty was awarded after a VAR review. Vivian was shown a red card for the foul and Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot. Fernandes got his second and United’s third in the 45th when he ran through on goal and curled a shot past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. United’s win could have been even more emphatic with Noussair Mazraoui and Casemiro both hitting the woodwork. The second leg is at Old Trafford next Thursday and United are potentially just 90 minutes away from returning to Bilbao, which is staging the final on May 21. Amorim, however, warned against complacency in the second leg. “They (Bilbao) can do the same thing in Old Trafford because they are really strong, they are really intense,” he said. “Of course, we are in the advantage. We have our fans, but again, this could change.” TOTTENHAM LEAD Under-pressure Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou could yet live up to his proclamation that he always wins a trophy in his second season. That record — which was carried through with former clubs Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos and Celtic — has looked in serious jeopardy for much of a season that has seen Spurs lose 19 times in the league. But a 3-1 win against Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will fuel belief that Postecoglou could deliver the goods again. Spurs were ahead inside a minute through Brennan Johnson, and James Maddison doubled the lead in the 34th. Dominic Solanke’s penalty in the 61st made it 3-0, but Ulrik Saltnes gave the Norwegians hope ahead of next week’s return leg in Norway by pulling a goal back in the 83rd. “It was not ideal conceding that late on, we wanted to keep a clean sheet and take that 3-0 lead there,” Solanke said. “Maybe we lacked a bit of concentration at the end and gave an opportunity for them to score that goal.”",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:15:30",
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      • "image_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/sites/default/files/styles/jg_article_image/public/media/article_images/2025/05/02/3118059/8296989.jpg?itok=MBqkNbZp",
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      {
      • "article_id": "f4cae6b603e1c6acfc4d0da916cc7549",
      • "title": "Pahalgam attack: A simple guide to the Kashmir conflict",
      • "link": "https://jamaicainquirer.com/pahalgam-attack-a-simple-guide-to-the-kashmir-conflict/",
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      • "description": "Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan and India continue to engage in war rhetoric and have exchanged fire across the Line of...",
      • "content": "Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan and India continue to engage in war rhetoric and have exchanged fire across the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in Kashmir, days after the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.Since then, senior members of Pakistan’s government and military officials have held multiple news conferences in which they have claimed to have “credible information” that an Indian military response is imminent.list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Kashmir attack: Why India’s Indus Waters Treaty freeze threatens Pakistanlist 2 of 4Kashmir attack: Why Pakistan’s threat to suspend Simla Agreement matterslist 3 of 4Pakistani mother, Indian son: Post-Kashmir attack, they can’t live togetherlist 4 of 4Kashmir attack: How India might strike Pakistan – what history tells usend of listThis is not the first time South Asia’s two largest countries – which have a combined population of more than 1.6 billion people, about one-fifth of the world’s population – have found themselves under the shadow of potential war.At the heart of their longstanding animosity lies the status of the picturesque valley of Kashmir, over which India and Pakistan have fought three of their four previous wars. Since gaining independence from British rule in 1947, both countries have controlled parts of Kashmir – with China controlling another part of it – but continue to claim it in full.AdvertisementSo what is the Kashmir conflict all about, and why do India and Pakistan continue to fight over it nearly eight decades after independence?India has implied it believes Pakistan may have indirectly supported the Pahalgam attack – a claim Pakistan strongly denies. Both countries have engaged in tit-for-tat diplomatic swipes at each other, including cancelling visas for each other’s citizens and recalling diplomatic staff.India has suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a water use and distribution agreement with Pakistan. Pakistan has in turn threatened to walk away from the Simla Agreement, which was signed in July 1972, seven months after Pakistan decisively lost the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. The Simla Agreement has since formed the bedrock of India-Pakistan relations. It governs the LoC and outlines a commitment to resolve disputes through peaceful means.On Wednesday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to urge both countries to work together to “de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia”.US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also called Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday to condemn the attack. “I offered my strong support. We stand with India and its great people,” Hegseth wrote on X.What lies at the heart of the Kashmir conflict?Situated in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent, the region spans 222,200 square kilometres (85,800sq miles) with about four million people living in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and 13 million in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.AdvertisementThe population is overwhelmingly Muslim. Pakistan controls the northern and western portions, namely Azad Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, while India controls the southern and southeastern parts, including the Kashmir Valley and its biggest city, Srinagar, as well as Jammu and Ladakh.The end of British colonial rule and the partition of British India in August 1947 led to the creation of Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India.At the time, princely states like Jammu and Kashmir were given the option to accede to either country. With a nearly 75 percent Muslim population, many in Pakistan believed the region would naturally join that country. After all, Pakistan under Muhammad Ali Jinnah was created as a homeland for Muslims, even though a majority of Muslims in what remained as India after partition stayed back in that country, where Mahatma Gandhi and independent India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, built the foundations of a secular state.The maharaja of Kashmir initially sought independence from both countries but later chose to join India after Pakistan invaded, triggering the first war from 1947 to 1948. The ceasefire line established after that was formalised as the LoC in the Simla Agreement.Despite this, both countries continue to assert claims to the entire region, including, in the case of India, to China-administered Aksai Chin on the eastern side.What triggered the first Indo-Pakistan war in 1947?The ruling Hindu maharaja of Kashmir was Hari Singh, whose forefathers took control of the region as part of an agreement with the British in 1846.AdvertisementAt the time of partition, Singh initially sought to retain Kashmir’s independence from both India and Pakistan.But by then, a rebellion against his rule by pro-Pakistani residents in a part of Kashmir had broken out. Armed groups from Pakistan, backed by the government of the newly formed country, invaded and tried to take over the region.Sheikh Abdullah, the most prominent Kashmiri leader at the time, opposed the Pakistani-backed attack. Hari Singh appealed to India for military assistance.Nehru’s government intervened against Pakistan – but on the condition that the maharaja sign an Instrument of Accession merging Jammu and Kashmir with India. In October 1947, Jammu and Kashmir officially became part of India, giving New Delhi control over the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh.India accused Pakistan of being the aggressor in the conflict – a charge Pakistan denied – and took the matter to the United Nations in January 1948. A key resolution was passed stating: “The question of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan should be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite.” Nearly 80 years later, no plebiscite has been held – a source of grievance for Kashmiris.The first war over Kashmir finally ended with a UN-mediated ceasefire, and in 1949, the two countries formalised a ceasefire line under an agreement signed in Karachi, Pakistan’s then-capital. The new line divided Kashmir between Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts.AdvertisementHow did the situation change after the 1949 agreement?By 1953, Sheikh Abdullah had founded the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and won state elections in Indian-administered Kashmir.However, his increasing interest in seeking independence from India led to his arrest by Indian authorities. In 1956, Jammu and Kashmir was declared an “integral” part of India.In September 1965, less than two decades after independence, India and Pakistan went to war over the region again.Pakistan hoped to aid the Kashmiri cause and incite a local uprising, but the war ended in a stalemate, with both sides agreeing to a UN-supervised ceasefire.How did China get a part of Kashmir?The Aksai Chin region in the northeast of the region sits at an elevation of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet), and through history, was a hard-to-reach, barely inhabited territory that in the 19th and early 20th centuries sat at the border of British India and China.It was a part of the kingdom that Kashmir’s Hari Singh inherited as a result of the 1846 deal with the British. Until the 1930s, at least, Chinese maps too recognised Kashmir as being south of the Ardagh-Johnson Line that marked the northeastern boundary of Kashmir.After 1947 and Singh’s accession to India, New Delhi viewed Aksai Chin as part of its territory. But by the early 1950s, China – now under communist rule – built a massive 1,200km (745-mile) long highway connecting Tibet and Xinjiang, and running through Aksai Chin.India was caught unaware – the desolate region had not been a security priority until then. In 1954, Nehru called for the border to be formalised according to the Ardagh-Johnson Line – in effect, recognising Aksai Chin as a part of India.AdvertisementBut China insisted that the British had never discussed the Ardagh-Johnson Line, and that Aksai Chin belonged to it under an alternate map. Most importantly, though, China already had boots on the ground in Aksai Chin because of the highway.Meanwhile, Pakistan and China also had differences over who controlled what in parts of Kashmir. But by the early 1960s, they reached an agreement: China gave up grazing grounds that Pakistan had sought, and in return, Pakistan ceded a thin slice of northern Kashmir to China.India claims this deal was illegal since, according to the Instrument of Accession of 1947, all of Kashmir belonged to it.Back to India and Pakistan: What happened next?Another war followed in December 1971 – this time over what was then known as East Pakistan, following a popular revolt by India-backed Bengali nationalists against Pakistan’s rule. The war led to the creation of Bangladesh. More than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were captured by India as prisoners of war.The Simla Agreement converted the ceasefire line into the LoC, a de facto but not internationally recognised border, yet again leaving Kashmir’s status in question.But after India’s decisive 1971 victory and amid the growing political influence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi – Nehru’s daughter – the 1970s saw Abdullah abandon his demand for a plebiscite and the Kashmiri people’s right of self-determination.In 1975, he signed an accord with Gandhi, recognising India-administered Kashmir’s accession to India while retaining semi-autonomous status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. He later served as the region’s chief minister.AdvertisementWhat led to a renewed drive for Kashmiri independence in the 1980s?As ties grew between Abdullah’s National Conference Party and India’s ruling Indian National Congress, so did frustration among Kashmiris in India-controlled Kashmir, who felt that socioeconomic conditions had not improved in the region.Separatist groups like the Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front, founded by Maqbool Bhat, rose.India’s claims of democracy in Kashmir faltered in the face of growing support for the armed groups. A tipping point was the 1987 election to the state legislature, which saw Abdullah’s son, Farooq Abdullah, come to power, but which was widely viewed as heavily rigged to keep out popular, anti-India politicians.Indian authorities launched a severe crackdown on separatist groups, which New Delhi alleged were supported and trained by Pakistan’s military intelligence. Pakistan, for its part, has consistently maintained it provides only moral and diplomatic support, backing the Kashmiris’ “right to self-determination”.In 1999, conflict erupted in Kargil, where Indian and Pakistani forces fought for control over strategic heights along the LoC. India eventually regained the lost territory, and the pre-conflict status quo was restored. This was the third war over Kashmir – Kargil is a part of Ladakh.How have tensions over Kashmir escalated since then?The following years saw a gradual reduction in direct conflict, with multiple ceasefires signed. However, India significantly ramped up its military presence in the valley.AdvertisementTensions were reignited in 2016 after the killing of Burhan Wani, a popular separatist figure. His death led to a rise in violence in the valley and more frequent exchanges of fire along the LoC.Major attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir, including those in Pathankot and Uri in 2016, targeted Indian forces, who blamed Pakistan-backed armed groups.The most serious escalation came in February 2019 when a convoy of Indian paramilitary personnel was attacked in Pulwama, killing 40 soldiers and bringing the two nations to the brink of war.Six months later, the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi unilaterally abrogated Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status. Pakistan condemned the move as a violation of the Simla Agreement.The decision led to widespread protests in the valley. India deployed 500,000 to 800,000 soldiers, placed the region under lockdown, shut down internet services and detained thousands of people.India insists that Pakistan is to blame for the ongoing crisis in Kashmir. It accuses Pakistan of hosting, financing and training the Pakistan-based armed groups that have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir over the decades. Some of these groups are also accused by India, the US, and others of attacking other parts of India – such as during the 2008 attack on Mumbai, India’s financial capital, when at least 166 people were killed over three days.Pakistan continues to deny that it fuels violence in India-controlled Kashmir and instead points to widespread resentment among locals, accusing India of imposing harsh and undemocratic rule in the region. Islamabad says it only supports Kashmiri separatism diplomatically and morally.Advertisement",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:15:15",
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      • "article_id": "3d9d300d8d03626f76e4d69a16bf2482",
      • "title": "Hydel look to end season on a high at East Coast meet",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/hydel-look-end-season-high-east-coast-meet",
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      • "description": "BALTIMORE, Maryland: FOLLOWING their record-breaking performance in the 4x400 metres at last weekend’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Hydel High will be hoping to end their season in fine style when they compete at the East Coast International...",
      • "content": "BALTIMORE, Maryland: FOLLOWING their record-breaking performance in the 4x400 metres at last weekend’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Hydel High will be hoping to end their season in fine style when they compete at the East Coast International Showcase meet tomorrow. This will be the fourth staging of the meet, which will feature more than 1,200 athletes at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Action starts at 9 a.m. (Jamaica time) at the new venue for the meet. The previous stagings were at the PG Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland. Hydel will be one of four Jamaican high school teams at the meet, the others are Excelsior High, Holmwood Technical and Denbigh High. Leading the charge for Hydel tomorrow will be sprinters Jody-Ann Daley and Abigail Campbell, key members of the record-breaking 4x400m team in Philadelphia. Campbell, the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) Class One 400m winner, clocked a personal best of 52.17 seconds at the recent inaugural Grand Slam Track meet. She will take on Sophie Rambo of Grassfield High (season’s best 52.47) and Sydney Sutton of Bullis High (52.75). Campbell’s teammate Nastassia Fletcher, the Champs Class Two champion who has also dipped under 53 seconds this season, and Abrina Wright of Holmwood the Champs Class One silver medallist. The outstanding Daley, who ran the anchor leg at the Penn Relays and who won both the Class One 100m hurdles and 200m at Champs, will contest the 200m tomorrow. She will face Elise Cooper of McDonough High School, who has clocked 22.71 this season. Daley’s teammates, Sashana Johnson and Shemonique Hazle, will also run the half-lap event. Excelsior’s Kishawn Hoffman, the surprise winner of the Class One 400m hurdles at Champs will lead the Jamaican charge in the boys’ events. He will be joined by Champs Class Two finalist Kingsley Hanson of Denbigh. After his outstanding 400m relay split of 43.99 for Bullis High at the Penn Relays, Olympian Quincy Wilson is the top attraction in the 400m. His season’s best is 45. 27. Omarie Williamson of Holmwood with a season’s best of 46.66, will lead the Jamaican challenge in this event. Also down to compete are Chanton Whyte of Denbigh, the Class Two bronze medallist at Champs, and Demarco Bennett of Excelsior. Jamaican athletes will also be well-represented in the 100m. The top entrants are Malike Nugent of Excelsior with a personal best of 10.35, his teammate Riquelme Reid (10.41) and Jaydon Collins of Holmwood Technical (10.59).",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:14:26",
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      {
      • "article_id": "2b8b57cdefbce8cceedf52d3bef35a32",
      • "title": "Court sides with ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/court-sides-fortnite-maker-epic",
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      • "description": "A federal judge in the United States has strongly rebuked Apple, finding that the iPhone maker wilfully violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite-maker Epic Games. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had ordered Apple...",
      • "content": "A federal judge in the United States has strongly rebuked Apple, finding that the iPhone maker wilfully violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite-maker Epic Games. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had ordered Apple to lower the barriers protecting its previously exclusive payment system for in-app digital transactions and allow developers to display links to alternative options. On Wednesday, she found that Apple violated a 2021 injunction that, she wrote, sought to “restrain and prohibit the iPhone maker’s anti-competitive conduct” and pricing. “Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” Gonzalez Rogers said in the ruling, which held Apple in contempt. She ordered that Apple “no longer impede developers’ ability to communicate with users, nor will they levy or impose a new commission on off-app purchases”. Epic CEO and founder Tim Sweeney said on X the company will return Fortnite to Apple’s US App Store next week. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Epic first filed an antitrust lawsuit in 2020 alleging that Apple had built an illegal monopoly around its popular App Store that makes billions of dollars annually from a then-exclusive payment system collecting commissions ranging from 15 per cent to 30 per cent on in-app commerce. Although Gonzalez Rogers had rejected the monopoly claims, she ordered Apple to lower the barriers protecting its previously exclusive payment system for in-app digital transactions and allow developers to display links to alternative options. The Supreme Court rejected Apple’s appeal in the case in January 2024. “In stark contrast to Apple’s initial in-court testimony, contemporaneous business documents reveal that Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anti-competitive option,” the judge wrote on Wednesday. She accused the company’s Alex Roman, vice-president for finance, of “outright” lying under oath. “Internally, (long-time Apple executive) Phillip Schiller had advocated that Apple comply with the injunction, but (CEO) Tim Cook ignored Schiller and instead allowed Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri and his finance team to convince him otherwise. Cook chose poorly,” Gonzalez Rogers wrote. The judge referred the matter to the US Attorney for the Northern District of California to investigate whether criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate. AP",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:14:15",
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      • "article_id": "9f96f26559d1abc77de9dc15cad08da7",
      • "title": "Nouriel Roubini | America’s economic tailwinds will override ‘Tariff Man’ and his tariffs",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/nouriel-roubini-americas-economic-tailwinds-will-override-tariff-man-and",
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      • "description": "Last December, I argued that while some of US President Donald Trump’s policies would be stagflationary – reducing growth and raising inflation – such effects would ultimately be mitigated by four factors: market discipline, an independent US...",
      • "content": "Last December, I argued that while some of US President Donald Trump’s policies would be stagflationary – reducing growth and raising inflation – such effects would ultimately be mitigated by four factors: market discipline, an independent US Federal Reserve, the president’s own advisers, and the Republicans’ thin majorities in Congress. The script has played out as predicted. The reaction from stock, bond, credit, and currency markets forced Trump not only to back down from his “reciprocal” tariffs against most of America’s trading partners, but also to beg China to sit down and negotiate. In the game of chicken between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump lost. Market traders trumped the tariffs, and bond vigilantes proved more powerful even than the US president – just as the political strategist James Carville observed a quarter-century ago. Then came the game of chicken with Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Again, Trump was the first to blink – at least for now. Markets swooned when he suggested that he would fire Powell, and he soon back-pedalled, declaring that he has “no intention” of doing so. Meanwhile, Powell has made clear that the president has no lawful authority to remove him. Similarly, while lunatics like Peter Navarro, Trump’s main trade adviser, initially gained the upper hand – appealing to Trump’s self-image as ‘Tariff Man’ – this did not last. Once markets stumbled, those advocating an “escalate to de-escalate” tariff strategy, such as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Stephen Miran – a former colleague of mine – seemed to prevail. Finally, some congressional Republicans have come out in support of legislation to limit the president’s authority to impose tariffs, and many other political players – from state governors and attorneys general to business groups – are suing the administration for what they describe as an unlawful overreach. Beyond these four guardrails, there is also the technology factor. The United States economy’s potential growth will approach four per cent by 2030, far above the International Monetary Fund’s recent estimate of 1.8 per cent. The reason is obvious: America is the world leader in 10 of the 12 industries that will define the future, with China leading in only electric vehicles and other green tech. US growth averaged 2.8 per cent in 2023-2024, and productivity growth has averaged 1.9 per cent since 2019, despite the pandemic-era dip. Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 – something I predicted in my 2022 book, Megathreats – AI-related investments have driven a US capital-expenditure boom. Even tariffs and the resulting uncertainty have not fundamentally changed the guidance from most big tech firms, AI hyper-scalers, and others. Many are even doubling down on AI investments. If growth goes from two per cent to four per cent because of technology, that is a 200-basis-point boost to potential growth. Yet even draconian trade protections and migration restrictions would reduce potential growth by only 50 bps at most. That is a four-to-one ratio between positives and negatives; technology would trump the tariffs over the medium term. As I recently argued elsewhere, even if Mickey Mouse were president, the United States would still be on the way to four per cent growth, because US private-sector innovation promises to offset bad policies and erratic policymaking. The AI-driven investment boom also implies that, with or without high tariffs, the US current account deficit will remain high and on an upward trajectory – reflecting the difference between sluggish savings and booming investment. But since America’s exceptional growth will survive Trump, portfolio inflows will continue despite the trade-policy noise. Although fixed-income investors may pull out of US assets and the dollar, equity investors will remain overweight on US assets, perhaps even doubling down. Any substantial weakening of the dollar will be gradual, and the greenback will not suddenly lose its role as the global reserve currency. Over time, higher growth, combined with existing redistribution policies, will weaken populist forces in the US. Meanwhile, Europe will continue to face the headwinds of demographic ageing, energy dependence, an over-reliance on Chinese markets, weak domestic innovation, and stagnant growth hovering around one per cent. The 50-year innovation gap between America and Europe will only widen as AI-driven growth moves from logarithmic to exponential. In this context, hard-right populist parties may well take over in most of Europe, as they already have done in some countries. With the US apparently drifting towards illiberalism, Europe might currently look like the world’s last bastion of liberal democracy; but this narrative could be flipped over the medium term. Such an inversion becomes more likely if Europeans continue to ignore the recommendations by former Italian Prime Ministers Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi. In his report on European competitiveness last year, Draghi pointed out that inter-EU tariffs on goods and services are much higher than the ones Trump has threatened. One silver lining to Trump’s bullying is that it could force Europe to wake up. To be sure, US inflation will surge above four per cent this year. Trade deals with most countries will limit the tariff rate to an undesirable but manageable 10-15 per cent level, and a likely de-escalation with China will leave that rate at around 60 per cent, on average, driving a gradual decoupling of the two economies. The ensuing shock to inflation-adjusted real disposable incomes will stall growth by the fourth quarter of this year, perhaps leading to a shallow US recession that will last for a couple of quarters. But a Federal Reserve that remains credibly committed to anchoring inflation expectations will be able to cut rates once growth stalls, and a modest rise in the unemployment rate will weaken inflation. By the middle of 2026, US growth will be experiencing a strong recovery, but Trump will have been damaged politically, auguring a loss for his party in the mid-term elections. Fears of the US descending into autocracy will be alleviated. American democracy will survive the Trump shock, and, after an initial period of pain, the US economy will thrive. Nouriel Roubini, a senior adviser at Hudson Bay Capital Management LP and Professor Emeritus at New York University’s Stern School of Business, is the author, most recently, of Megathreats: Ten Dangerous Trends That Imperil Our Future, and How to Survive Them .© Project Syndicate 2025 www.project-syndicate.org",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:14:01",
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      {
      • "article_id": "70875968fdb86a9e12d11adb3bfc40f3",
      • "title": "Express Catering grows profit despite dip in travel flow",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/express-catering-grows-profit-despite-dip-travel-flow",
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      • "description": "Food service company Express Catering Limited, ECL, posted net profit of US$1.8 million for the third quarter ending February 2025, a two-thirds increase year-on-year, notwithstanding a decline in passenger traffic through the Sangster...",
      • "content": "Food service company Express Catering Limited, ECL, posted net profit of US$1.8 million for the third quarter ending February 2025, a two-thirds increase year-on-year, notwithstanding a decline in passenger traffic through the Sangster International Airport. Express Catering operates various eateries at the airport and is dependent on robust travel flow. Its 31 stores are spread throughout the departure lounge. During the period, travellers accessing the lounge fell to around 650,000, down from some 705,000 in the same period last year, the company stated. Despite the drop in foot traffic, Express Catering reported an uptick in revenue for the quarter, US$7.4 million, compared to US$7 million in the February 2024 period. It attributed the growth to a higher spend rate per passenger, which increased to US$11.38 from US$10.05 year-over-year. “The improvement in spend rate is particularly important, as the increase was significant and is a result of the strategic measures that the company has been implementing over time,” the company reported to shareholders. Express Catering is run by CEO Ian Dear, who also controls Margaritaville St Lucia, the company that owns two-thirds of the ECL shares. For the nine months ending February, ECL recorded US$18.9 million in revenue, slightly surpassing the US$18.7 million reported in the same period of 2024, despite serving fewer passengers — 1.8 million, compared to 1.96 million. Net profit also climbed to US$3.2 million from US$2.09 million. Express Catering remains optimistic about its outlook. “The winter season is now ending, but the outlook is for an excellent summer season and we are ready to serve our many patrons,” the report stated, while reiterating that its operations are dependent on tourism traffic. Three-quarters of the tourists visiting Jamaica enter the country via Sangster International, according to the airport operator in its annual report. “Despite the fairly stable climate, the Caribbean hotel and resort market shows a significant level of seasonality throughout the year,” the food service company said. Seasonally, occupancies are strong throughout the winter season, between December and May, then dip between June and November, and are lowest between September and October. steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:13:49",
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      • "article_id": "a916d9444102e51a7b1f8fcb16b78de4",
      • "title": "InterEnergy buys Paradise solar park for US$18m",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/interenergy-buys-paradise-solar-park-us18m",
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      • "description": "InterEnergy Group has bought Jamaica’s largest solar farm, Paradise Park, from Eight Rivers Energy Company, marking its second renewable energy purchase in Jamaica in less than four months. It now owns 100 per cent of the asset. Paradise Park was...",
      • "content": "InterEnergy Group has bought Jamaica’s largest solar farm, Paradise Park, from Eight Rivers Energy Company, marking its second renewable energy purchase in Jamaica in less than four months. It now owns 100 per cent of the asset. Paradise Park was commissioned in 2019 and was formerly held by three shareholders: NEOEN, a French renewable energy firm which held the largest block; MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Limited; and Eight Rivers Energy Company Limited, led by Jamaican Angella Rainford, who convened the project. Country Manager for InterEnergy Jamaica, Dr Wayne McKenzie, said the company paid US$18 million for full ownership of the asset. Paradise Park was developed at a cost of US$64 million, with financing from French development bank PROPARCO and Dutch development bank FMO. Prior to the sale, MPC Caribbean, a publicly traded company on the Jamaica and Trinidad stock exchanges, had put the value of its stake in Paradise at about US$5.9 million. The energy investment company held around 35 per cent of the solar park through EREC Investment Limited, which in turn held shares in Eight Rivers Energy Company Limited. InterEnergy’s total renewable energy capacity in Jamaica now exceeds 85MW, the company said. That includes the 50MW Paradise Park facility in Westmoreland, which sits at the western tip of Jamaica, as well as the BMR 36MW wind farm in the neighbouring parish of St Elizabeth, which InterEnergy took over when it acquired BMR’s regional portfolio in January. InterEnergy also holds other assets in Jamaica, totalling 250MW of capacity, through Jamaica Energy Partners, Jamaica Private Power Company and West Kingston Power Company according to its website. Those three facilities “supply approximately 40 per cent of the energy requirements” of Jamaica’s national electricity grid, the company says on its website. All three, as well as the two renewable energy operations, supply the power they generate to grid operator Jamaica Public Service Company under contract. business@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:13:30",
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      {
      • "article_id": "729cc4b55c06d290394a1bc3e080c4df",
      • "title": "Climate, tariff threat making coffee more expensive",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/climate-tariff-threat-making-coffee-more-expensive",
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      • "description": "With her purple-and-pink hair swaying, Reneé Colón stands on a stepladder in the rented corner of a warehouse, pouring Brazilian coffee beans into her groaning, old roasting machine. The beans are precious because they survived severe drought in a...",
      • "content": "With her purple-and-pink hair swaying, Reneé Colón stands on a stepladder in the rented corner of a warehouse, pouring Brazilian coffee beans into her groaning, old roasting machine. The beans are precious because they survived severe drought in a year when environmental conditions depressed coffee production globally, doubling the price of raw beans in just months. “Unfortunately, coffee is going to become more scarce,” said Reneé Colón, founder and roaster at Fuego Coffee Roasters. “Seeing that dramatic loss of the Brazilian crop is a perfect example.” Losses from heat and drought have cut production forecasts in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest coffee growers. Global production is still expected to increase, but not as much as commodity market investors had expected. That’s sent world coffee prices up, largely because of continued high demand in Europe, the United States, and China. Prices peaked in February but have remained high, forcing roasters like Colón to weigh how much of that cost to absorb and how much to pass on to consumers. The beans Colón was roasting cost her US$5.50 per pound in early March, more than double what they cost in September. And that was for mixed, mid-range beans. Speciality coffees – grown in delicate climates to slow growth and add flavour – can cost even more. US President Donald Trump’s current 10% tariffs cover most coffee-producing countries, including Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia, and are expected to drive up costs for Americans. Amid his chaotic tariff pronouncements – at one point he threatened 46% tariffs on Vietnam imports and 32% on Indonesia imports, before pausing them – American coffee roasters are rethinking their supply chains. “With all these changes in coffee, maybe we should open our own damn farm,” Colón muses. Rural New York isn’t an option, of course. The world’s best coffee thrives near the equator, where seasons are long, and in high altitudes, where slow growing allows beans to gather flavour. Puerto Rico, where Colón and her husband have roots, isn’t a serious option, either – labour costs are too high, and she worries about the increasing risk of crop-damaging hurricanes. She shrugs off buying coffee from Hawaii and California, which she says is either poor quality, overpriced, or both. In February, global coffee green exports were down 14.2% from a year earlier, according to the International Coffee Organization’s market report. The shortage led to the highest price ever for raw coffee in February, breaking the record set in 1977 when severe frost wiped out 70% of Brazil’s coffee plants. Climate isn’t the only thing driving up prices, said Daria Whalen, a buyer for San Francisco-based Ritual Coffee Roasters. Inflation is driving up the cost of labour, fertilisers and borrowing, she said. She described being in Mexico in April seeking to finalise contracts between Trump’s fits and starts on tariffs. It reminded her of being in Colombia a month earlier as Trump threatened and then backed away from tariffs that would have affected coffee prices. “It was kind of like roller-coaster day, because at the end of the day it didn’t exist,” Whalen said. Some of the recent rise in coffee prices may be from importers buying extra in anticipation of the tariffs. Colón believes prices will go still higher as import taxes begin being paid. And with consumer confidence hitting a 12-year low, Colón could see a decrease in demand for her premium coffee. “It is tough on our end because it drives the price up, tough on the consumer end because they have to pay more, and tough on the farmers’ end because they may be experiencing really significant losses,” Colón said. AP",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:13:19",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
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      {
      • "article_id": "7e668d547ec83e2a6408dd1a6eefbe76",
      • "title": "Starbucks says turnaround on track",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/starbucks-says-turnaround-track",
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      • "description": "Starbucks’ sales are on the upswing again, with the company reporting its first quarterly sales increase in more than a year in the January-March period. But the coffee giant said Tuesday that its turnaround effort is far from complete, and its...",
      • "content": "Starbucks’ sales are on the upswing again, with the company reporting its first quarterly sales increase in more than a year in the January-March period. But the coffee giant said Tuesday that its turnaround effort is far from complete, and its fiscal second quarter also saw lagging store traffic and lower-than-expected earnings. “Some of the investments we’re making now will take some time to create material returns. And some elements of our plan will move faster than others,” Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in a video message to employees. “We have a lot of work ahead, but we are on the right track and moving quickly.” The Seattle coffee giant said Tuesday that its quarterly revenue rose two per cent to US$8.76 billion in the January-March period. That was short of Wall Street’s expectations of US$8.83 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. Niccol, who joined the struggling company last fall, said Starbucks’ efforts are paying off. Service is faster and friendlier, he said, helped by optimizing staffing levels. Simplified menus are also making store operations easier. And new store designs that encourage customers to sit and stay are rolling out in New York and Los Angeles soon. Niccol said a pilot program to better pace mobile orders has lowered drive-thru wait times and the majority of in-store wait times to less than four minutes. A four-minute service time was one of the first goals Niccol set when he joined Starbucks. He said the program will be rolled out to 3,000 stores by the end of this fiscal year. Niccol said Starbucks is also boosting staffing and allowing employees to pick up extra shifts at nearby stores. He said in recent years, Starbucks had cut staffing and hoped that automated systems would pick up the slack. But it led to long wait times and employee burnout. “What we’re discovering is the equipment doesn’t solve the customer experience that we need to provide, but rather staffing the stores and deploying with this technology behind it does,” he said Tuesday during a conference call with investors. But those efforts have been costly. Starbucks said its net income dropped 50 per cent to US$384 million in its fiscal second quarter. Adjusted earnings fell nearly 40 per cent to 41 cents per share. That was lower than the 49-cent per share profit Wall Street forecast. Niccol said Starbucks plans to stick with its promise not to raise prices this fiscal year, despite increased costs from tariffs. Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Cathy Smith said the company sources coffee from 28 different countries, mostly in Latin America. Starbucks’ biggest exposure to tariffs, however, is with merchandise and beverage ingredients sourced from China. Smith said Starbucks is now shifting that production to local suppliers. Starbucks said its same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, fell 1 per cent globally. That was slightly worse than the 0.8 per cent drop analysts forecast. While international same-store sales increased two per cent – and store traffic improved in China – US same-store sales fell two per cent. But Niccol expressed confidence that improved service and more welcoming stores will turn those numbers around, even if there is an economic downturn. “It is one of those things that people would say, ‘This is a simple everyday luxury that I can still participate in,’ regardless of what some of the economic challenges are around them,” Niccol said. AP",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:13:09",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/sites/default/files/styles/jg_article_image/public/media/article_images/2025/05/02/3116729/8295160.jpg?itok=EqFqHSD5",
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      {
      • "article_id": "1341aa2e6efdc7a321b0db05a9c0876b",
      • "title": "Visa wants to give artificial intelligence ‘agents’ your credit card",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/visa-wants-give-artificial-intelligence-agents-your-credit-card",
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      • "description": "Artificial intelligence ‘agents’ are supposed to be more than chatbots. The tech industry has spent months pitching AI personal assistants that know what you want and can do real work on your behalf. So far, they’re not doing much. Visa hopes to...",
      • "content": "Artificial intelligence ‘agents’ are supposed to be more than chatbots. The tech industry has spent months pitching AI personal assistants that know what you want and can do real work on your behalf. So far, they’re not doing much. Visa hopes to change that by giving them your credit card. Set a budget and some preferences and these AI agents – successors to ChatGPT and its chatbot peers — could find and buy you a sweater, weekly groceries or an airplane ticket. “We think this could be really important,” said Jack Forestell, Visa’s chief product and strategy officer, in an interview. “Transformational, on the order of magnitude of the advent of e-commerce itself.” Visa announced Wednesday it is partnering with a group of leading AI chatbot developers – among them US companies Anthropic, Microsoft, OpenAI and Perplexity, and France’s Mistral – to connect their AI systems to Visa’s payments network. Visa is also working with IBM, online payment company Stripe and phone-maker Samsung on the initiative. Pilot projects begin Wednesday, ahead of more widespread usage expected next year. The San Francisco payment processing company is betting that what seems futuristic now could become a convenient alternative to our most mundane shopping tasks in the near future. It has spent the past six months working with AI developers to address technical obstacles that must be overcome before the average consumer is going to use it. For emerging AI companies, Visa’s backing could also boost their chances of competing with tech giants Amazon and Google, which dominate digital commerce and are developing their own AI agents. The tech industry is already full of demonstrations of the capabilities of what it calls agentic AI, though few are yet found in the real world. Most are still refashioned versions of large language models – the generative AI technology behind chatbots that can write emails, summarise documents or help people code. Trained on huge troves of data, they can scour the internet and bring back recommendations for things to buy, but they have a harder time going beyond that. “The early incarnations of agent-based commerce are starting to do a really good job on the shopping and discovery dimension of the problem, but they are having tremendous trouble on payments,” Forestell said. “You get to this point where the agents literally just turn it back around and say, ‘Okay, you go buy it’.” Visa sees itself as having a key role in giving AI agents easier and trusted access to the cash they need to make purchases. “The payments problem is not something the AI platforms can solve by themselves,” Forestell said. “That’s why we started working with them.” The new AI initiative comes nearly a year after Visa revealed major changes to how credit and debit cards will operate in the United States, making physical cards and their 16-digit numbers increasingly irrelevant. Many consumers are already getting used to digital payment systems such as Apple Pay that turn their phones into a credit card. A similar process of vetting someone’s digital credentials would authorise AI agents to work on a customer’s behalf, in a way Forestell says must assure buyers, banks and merchants that the transactions are legitimate and that Visa will handle disputes. Forestell said that doesn’t mean AI agents will take over the entire shopping experience, but it might be useful for errands that either bore some people — like groceries, home improvement items or even Christmas lists – or are too complicated, like travel bookings. In those situations, some people might want an agent that “just powers through it and automatically goes and does stuff for us,” Forestell said. Other shopping experiences, such as for luxury goods, are a form of entertainment and many customers still want to immerse themselves in the choices and comparisons, Forestell said. In that case, he envisions AI agents still offering assistance but staying in the background. And what about credit card debt? The credit card balances of American consumers hit US$1.21 trillion at the end of last year, according to the Federal Reserve of New York. Forestell says consumers will give their AI agents clear spending limits and conditions that should give them confidence that the human is still in control. At first, the AI agents are likely to come back to buyers to make sure they are OK with a specific airplane ticket. Over time, those agents might get more autonomy to “go spend up to US$1,500 on any airline to get me from A to B,” he said. Part of what is attracting some AI developers to the Visa partnership is that, with a customer’s consent, an AI agent can also tap into a lot of data about past credit card purchases. “Visa has the ability for a user to consent to share streams of their transaction history with us,” said Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity’s chief business officer. “When we generate a recommendation – say you’re asking, ‘What are the best laptops?’ – we would know what are other transactions you’ve made and the revealed preferences from that.” Perplexity’s chatbot can already book hotels and make other purchases, but it’s still in the early stages of AI commerce, Shevelenko says. The San Francisco startup has also, along with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, told a federal court it would consider buying Google’s internet browser, Chrome, if the United States forces a breakup of the tech giant in a pending antitrust case. AP",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:13:00",
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      {
      • "article_id": "3bda41839b51500f85b7f0ffa7273148",
      • "title": "ECLAC cuts forecast for Latin America, Caribbean growth",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/eclac-cuts-forecast-latin-america-caribbean-growth",
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      • "description": "The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean revised the growth projection downwards for the region’s economies in 2025 downwards, on Tuesday. The regional UN agency now forecasts that the LAC region’s economies will grow two per...",
      • "content": "The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean revised the growth projection downwards for the region’s economies in 2025 downwards, on Tuesday. The regional UN agency now forecasts that the LAC region’s economies will grow two per cent on average this year, which is four-tenths lower than what was projected in December 2024. For the Caribbean sub-category, excluding Guyana, the forecast is eight-tenths lower. Guyana aligns politically and economically with the Caribbean but it is located in South America. ECLAC said that the growth rates now expected, given the new revisions, are 2.5 per cent in South America, one per cent in Central America and Mexico and 1.8 per cent in the Caribbean, excluding Guyana. ECLAC says the LAC region is facing a very complex and highly uncertain international scenario. Tariff announcements made by the United States not only have direct effects on what the region’s countries export to that economy, but they also have indirect effects via greater volatility in international financial markets, with significant fluctuations in stock and bond markets, which has clear implications for the yield of assets and of the interest rate in the United States and for the main global financial markets, the agency said. “These announcements and the geoeconomic confrontation sparked have increased the risk of severe disruptions in global production chains and in international trade flows. All these factors have prompted a downward revision for growth prospects at a global level and particularly among the region’s main trading partners: the United States and China,” ECLAC said. It noted, for example, that the International Monetary Fund in April revised its growth projection for the US down from 2.7 per cent to 1.8 per cent; for the eurozone, from one per cent to 0.8 per cent; and for China from 4.6 per cent to four per cent. The UN agency’s new forecast rests on expected falloffs in aggregate demand. Private consumption will continue to be the main determinant of regional growth, but its pace is expected to continue decreasing, it said. Additionally, ECLAC expects investment activity to be less robust than first predicted, given the likelihood of a deceleration in global trade, particularly among the region’s main trading partners, and the greater levels of uncertainty in the global economy. The agency also suggested that the region may face headwinds in the continued efforts at reversing the path of low economic growth on which it had made progress over the past decade, but is urging LAC governments to stay the course. “Invigorating growth requires a combination of more proactive macroeconomic and productive development policies than those the region has had up to now, increasing investment in physical and human capital, and putting productive development agendas into practice in dynamic driving sectors,” ECLAC remarked. “That is why the region not only must invest more, but it also must invest better. This involves adopting new technologies, promoting cluster initiatives and good business practices, fostering deep improvements in the process of capital accumulation, and properly harnessing economies’ social and environmental capital,” the UN body said. CMC",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:12:52",
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      • "source_id": "jamaicagleaner",
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      {
      • "article_id": "8af88a7ddec6c3eadb29f1fda875517c",
      • "title": "Jamaica Packaging close to tripling capacity with new factory",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/jamaica-packaging-close-tripling-capacity-new-factory",
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      • "description": "Backed by a big bank loan, Jamaica Packaging Industries Limited has upgraded its machinery and moved into new operating space that could see the company tripling its output. Country Manager Gary Cole said the complex, spanning 74,000 square feet,...",
      • "content": "Backed by a big bank loan, Jamaica Packaging Industries Limited has upgraded its machinery and moved into new operating space that could see the company tripling its output. Country Manager Gary Cole said the complex, spanning 74,000 square feet, allows for the consolidation of manufacturing, distribution, and retail sales operations at a single site. “The building itself that houses the corrugator is much bigger, but importantly, it allows us to consolidate our operations on one site,” Cole said. JPI previously operated from two premises in Kingston: Marcus Garvey Drive and Ashenheim Road. The new base is at Spanish Town Road, in the vicinity of Six Miles, near the Kingston and St Catherine border. Its new home is a former bottling plant that had been idle for several years. Denise Gallimore, vice president of real estate and infrastructure of Eppley Limited, said the company’s total investment in the property was about US$5 million. The money was used to acquire the land and buildings and to do upgrades. “The Spanish Town Road area is important to all of us,” said Gallimore. But due to the poor road condition, “it took a lot of convincing” to get a company like JPI to take up space at the property, she said. The factory relocation project was supported by a loan of US$8 million from Scotiabank Jamaica for the procurement and installation of new machinery. “Our involvement was the financing of the upgrade of the plant to expand their capacity to manufacture and we also had some early involvement. We have a comprehensive banking relationship with the Jamaica Packaging Industries. We are very pleased with the management of the business,” said President and CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Audrey Tugwell Henry, who told the Financial Gleaner that Jamaica Packaging and Scotiabank have had a longstanding relationship. Cole said the new facility is equipped with a modern corrugator, a high-speed folder gluer machine capable of high-quality printing, slotting, glueing and folding of cartons in a single pass; a modern die-cut machine designed to produce complex display cartons and display trays; and an effluent treatment plant. JPI Operations Manager Oswin Thomas said the new corrugator can reach line speeds of 250 metres per minute, more than double that of the previous machine that had a top speed of 120 metres per minute. It can also transform even lower grade paper into sturdier structural boxes, compared to the previous corrugator, Thomas told the Financial Gleaner . Speaking ahead of the commissioning, Cole said the investment in new machines will more than double the production capacity at JPI. “Combined, these technologies form the very backbone of our production and have immediately increased our production capacity by over 250 per cent; that’s right, 250 per cent increase in production capacity,” Cole said. Further improvements should push the capacity increase to 300 per cent, he said. Established in October 1954, Jamaica Packaging’s original factory operated from 214 Marcus Garvey Drive, with an annex at the rear of that premises along Ashenheim Road. Later its address changed to 154 Marcus Garvey Drive, near Newport West. After the dismantling and the sale of 214 Marcus Garvey Drive, the annex was retained as a warehouse, while the company acquired Corrpak Jamaica in October 2016 to produce corrugated paper and cardboard boxes. Jamaica Packaging eventually outgrew the 44,000-square-foot facility, forcing the company to utilise a repurposed gas station adjoining the 154 Marcus Garvey Drive location to store the huge rolls of paper used as raw material, Cole said. The section of Spanish Town Road between Weymouth Drive and Six Miles that houses the new JPI plant is notoriously bumpy, resulting from the soft subsurface and occasional flooding. Even as final preparations for the commissioning ceremony were under way, a roadwork crew was observed doing drain-cleaning work at the front gate and in the vicinity of the JPI plant. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness was at the commissioning ceremony to officially pull the switch on the new plant. “We’re happy to hear that the prime minister is giving a commitment in that way, to work with the private sector to upgrade and improve the road,” said Gallimore. neville.graham@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:12:43",
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      • "image_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/sites/default/files/styles/jg_article_image/public/media/article_images/2025/05/02/3116658/8295328.jpg?itok=RzT6flyY",
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      {
      • "article_id": "29e5d010df163c327eb3e55f3e9df48d",
      • "title": "Air travel to Jamaica generates US$235m for GAP in 2024",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20250502/air-travel-jamaica-generates-us235m-gap-2024",
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      • "description": "Travel at the nation’s two busiest airports generated US$235 million in total revenue last year for the Pacific Airport Group, GAP, the Mexican airport operator’s newly released financials indicate. The outturn was 15 per cent better than in 2023....",
      • "content": "Travel at the nation’s two busiest airports generated US$235 million in total revenue last year for the Pacific Airport Group, GAP, the Mexican airport operator’s newly released financials indicate. The outturn was 15 per cent better than in 2023. The Montego Bay and Kingston airports under GAP’s control generated revenue of US$148 million and US$87 million, respectively. Some of those revenues flow to the Jamaican Government through the Airports Authority of Jamaica, which issued concessions to GAP’s companies to operate them. Two-thirds of the flows came from aero revenue, such as landing fees and passenger charges, while non-aero revenue from retail, dining, and advertising contributed one-third of revenue. GAP manages Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay through MBJ Airports Limited, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, NMIA, through PAC Kingston Airport Limited, also called PACKAL. The airlines Jet Blue, Delta Airlines and Southwest were the top carriers at the airports. In terms of non-aero revenue, retail stores led the list. In an itemisation of the biggest commercial customers, in terms of revenue paid over to the airport operator, GAP said those at Sangster International were: duty-free store operator Dufry Jamaica Limited, US$15 million; passenger lounge operator VIP Attractions Limited, US$5.3 million; and food and beverage service Express Catering Limited, US$4.6 million. At NMIA, the list included: duty-free store operator TM Traders Limited, US$3 million; retailer Two Hampers and A Mule Limited, US$700,000, and car rental service Island Car Rental Limited, US$600,000. Montego Bay airport acts as the tourism gateway during the year, its total passengers dipped to 3.0 per cent to 5.05 million, which includes arrivals and departures. Kingston airport, which acts as the business and residential hub grew its total passengers to 1.8 million or 2.0 per cent higher than 2023. Both airports invited new store proposals in 2024, with the aim of adding new shops in Montego Bay by mid-2025 and in Kingston by late 2025. GAP, whose Mexican name is Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico SAB de CV, operates a total of 14 airports – 12 in Mexico and two in Jamaica. Sangster International ranks fifth in the group in terms of the revenue generated for GAP. Last year, GAP said four-fifths of the total aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenues, at US$1.6 billion, were generated at five of its 14 airports: Guadalajara earned 27.5 per cent, Los Cabos 16.5 per cent, Tijuana 13.6 per cent, Puerto Vallarta 12.3 per cent, Montego Bay 11.1 per cent. Kingston and the other eight Mexican airports accounted for the other 19 per cent. The 14 airports generated annual profit of US$425 million for the group in 2024, down 8.5 per cent. Looking ahead, Jamaica’s airports are expected to maintain their positive trajectory in 2025, supported by strong tourism demand and ongoing improvements in air connectivity. MBJ Airport invested “US$20.8 million” in 2024, which was 12 per cent more than the previous year. “In 2024, the capital expenditures were allocated to continued execution of the master plan works to include immigration and security expansion, major landside development works, east concourse expansion, expansion of the check-in hall, Gates 1 to 7 rehabilitation, among other projects,” GAP said in its report. PAC Kingston Airport spent around US$37 million on NMIA, last year, and intends to invest about US$75 million in 2025, according to disclosures by CEO Sitara English-Byfield at an industry forum last December. The largest project entails the addition of a safety zone at one end of the runway. Both airports operate under a revised capital development plan, shaped by pandemic-related fallout in the travel market. That plan now extends to 2030. “The revision process for the capital development programme for 2026 to 2030 commenced in 2024 for both Jamaican airports, with the new model scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026,” GAP said. steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:12:33",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/sites/default/files/styles/jg_article_image/public/media/article_images/2025/05/02/3115609/7796190.jpg?itok=Yym92CK3",
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      • "article_id": "121acf267788dfea702e7a189b418ebb",
      • "title": "Trump’s policies loom over May Day marches",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/world-news/20250502/trumps-policies-loom-over-may-day-marches",
      • "keywords": null,
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      • "description": "PARIS (AP): French union leaders condemned the “Trumpization” of world politics, while in Italy, May Day protesters paraded a puppet of the American president through the streets of Turin. Across continents, hundreds of thousands turned out for...",
      • "content": "PARIS (AP): French union leaders condemned the “Trumpization” of world politics, while in Italy, May Day protesters paraded a puppet of the American president through the streets of Turin. Across continents, hundreds of thousands turned out for Thursday’s rallies marking International Workers’ Day, many united in anger over US President Donald Trump’s agenda – from aggressive tariffs stoking fears of global economic turmoil to immigration crackdowns. In the United States, organisers framed this year’s protests as a pushback against what they called a sweeping assault on labour protections, diversity initiatives and federal employees. In Germany, union leaders warned that extended workdays and rising anti-immigrant sentiment were dismantling labour protections. In Bern, Switzerland, thousands marched behind banners denouncing fascism and war – part of a wider backlash against the global surge of hard-right politics. In France, union leaders predicted hundreds of thousands would join demonstrations across the country, fuelled by anger over US military and trade influence in Europe. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused the US of pushing Europe toward conflict and economic subservience. “If the North Americans don’t want our goods anymore, we can just sell them to others,” he said. In Spain, thousands marched in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities, with demands ranging from a shorter workweek to answers for a historic power outage that blacked out the Iberian Peninsula earlier this week. Trump’s name also surfaced. MAJOR GLOBAL SHIFT “The world has changed a bit with Trump’s arrival,” said Ángel López, 56, a worker from Madrid. “The arrival of the far right to a country like the United States is a major global shift.” Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te cited new US tariffs under Trump as he promoted a sweeping economic package aimed at shoring up jobs and industry. In the Philippines, protest leader Mong Palatino warned that “tariff wars and policies of Trump” threatened local industries and people’s livelihoods. In Japan, Trump’s image loomed over the day – quite literally – as a truck in the Tokyo march carried a doll made to resemble him. Demonstrators there called for higher wages, gender equality, health care, disaster relief, a ceasefire in Gaza, and an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Tadashi Ito, a union construction worker, said he feared the rising cost of imported raw materials. “Everybody is fighting over work, and so the contracts tend to go where the wages are cheapest,” he said. “We think peace comes first. And we hope Trump will eradicate conflict and inequalities.” Under overcast skies, about 2,500 union members marched from the Taiwanese presidential office in Taipei, warning that Trump’s tariffs could lead to job losses. “This is why we hope the government can propose plans to protect the rights of labourers,” said union leader Carlos Wang. An autoworkers’ union carried a cutout car topped with a photo of Trump. In Manila, thousands of Filipino workers rallied near the presidential palace, where police blocked access with barricades. Protesters demanded wage hikes and stronger protections for local jobs and small businesses. In Chicago, thousands of people rallied in a West Side park before marching through downtown streets to the lakefront. Some played drums and danced while others chanted “No justice, no peace!” The crowd included union workers, immigrant rights advocates, pro-Palestinian activists and students calling for better-funded public schools. Latrina Barnes, a 48-year-old certified nurses assistant, said worries that Medicaid and Medicare might be affected under the Trump administration inspired her to protest in a May Day rally for the first time. “We need to stand up and fight back,” she said. Some used humour to protest, including a Trump puppet, an inflatable Trump baby chicken and a Trump pinata shaped like a bull.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:12:14",
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      • "article_id": "b230f1db1ee5cbe59bef96545156b8f1",
      • "title": "It’s Met Gala time!",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lifestyle/20250502/its-met-gala-time",
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      • "description": "NEW YORK (AP): As springtime sunshine finally hits New York City, the Met Gala beckons — one of the most anticipated and visible parties in the world. This year, the theme – ‘Tailored For You’ – is focused on classic tailoring. As always, the...",
      • "content": "NEW YORK (AP): As springtime sunshine finally hits New York City, the Met Gala beckons — one of the most anticipated and visible parties in the world. This year, the theme – ‘Tailored For You’ – is focused on classic tailoring. As always, the dress code is inspired by the spring exhibit at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ is the first Met show to focus exclusively on black designers, and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswear theme. The show looks at the evolution of black style over the centuries through the lens of dandyism. Here are some key things to know as fashion’s biggest night approaches: WHEN IS THE MET GALA? The gala happens the first Monday in May – this year, May 5. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MET GALA? Not everyone knows that the gala is actually a fundraiser for the Costume Institute, the only self-funding department at the Met. Last year the evening brought in a whopping sum of more than US$26 million to the museum’s coffers. WAS IT ALWAYS THIS BIG? Definitely not. It started in 1948 as a Manhattan society midnight supper – held at various places like the Waldorf Astoria and the Rainbow Room. It took many years before it turned into a global event and one of the starriest nights of the year. WHO’S HOSTING THE 2025 MET GALA? Each year brings a new group of celebrity co-chairs. This year they are Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, and A$AP Rocky – along with Anna Wintour, the influential Vogue editor who always oversees the proceedings. NBA superstar LeBron James is honorary chair. WHO ELSE IS ATTENDING THE MET GALA SO FAR? Word on attendees trickles out slowly in the weeks leading up to the event. But this year there’s also a huge additional host committee with stars from various fields. (They don’t have specific host duties, other than showing up and, it goes without saying, looking fabulous.) It includes British Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner, who joins the list of fashion figures such as Edward Enninful, Dapper Dan and Olivier Rousteing. Other members of the host committee include athletes Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens, Angel Reese and Sha’Carri Richardson; filmmakers Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee and Regina King; and actors Ayo Edebiri, Audra McDonald and Jeremy Pope, and musicians Doechii, Usher, Tyla, Janelle Monáe and André 3000. Also in the group are author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; artists Jordan Casteel, Rashid Johnson and Kara Walker; playwrights Jeremy O. Harris and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. CAN ANYONE BUY A TICKET TO THE MET GALA? In a word: No. You cannot just buy a ticket. The right question is: If I were famous or powerful and got invited, how much would it cost? IF I WERE FAMOUS OR POWERFUL AND GOT INVITED, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST? Individual tickets start at US$75,000. Generally, though, companies buy tables. A fashion label, for example, would then host its desired celebrities. A table of 10 starts at US$350,000 this year, as it did last year. There will be approximately 400 guests. HOW STRICT IS THE DRESS CODE? The code is meant to be a guide, not a hard rule, and loose interpretation is encouraged. Sometimes, that interpretation extends not only to what guests put on, but what they take off. Lady Gaga did a 16-minute striptease on the gala carpet in 2019. Jared Leto spent the evening in 2023 carrying around his huge cat head, a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved pet. HOW DO GUESTS SPEND THE EVENING? Guests enter the museum and walk past an enormous flower arrangement in the museum’s grand lobby – always a talking point. Often there is an orchestra playing nearby. At the top of the grand staircase, Wintour and her co-hosts form a receiving line. Guests then head either to cocktails or to view the exhibit. Cocktails are followed by dinner. The most hotly anticipated guests sometimes skip cocktails and even dinner, and arrive around dessert time for maximum impact (we’re looking at you, Rihanna).",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:54",
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      • "article_id": "4d51b828d151a740504b108bfa62de15",
      • "title": "DNA confirms blood found in cell as Deane’s, court hears",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20250502/dna-confirms-blood-found-cell-deanes-court-hears",
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      • "description": "WESTERN BUREAU: Anika Lowe, senior forensic science officer at the Forensic Institute’s DNA Unit, testified in the Westmoreland Circuit Court on Monday that blood samples collected from several items and areas outside the prison cell where Mario...",
      • "content": "WESTERN BUREAU: Anika Lowe, senior forensic science officer at the Forensic Institute’s DNA Unit, testified in the Westmoreland Circuit Court on Monday that blood samples collected from several items and areas outside the prison cell where Mario Deane was fatally beaten in 2014 were confirmed to be his. Lowe was giving evidence in the ongoing trial of Corporal Elaine Stewart and Constables Juliana Clevon and Marlon Grant, who are charged in connection with Deane’s death. “The DNA profile from the blood that was found on the fingernail clippings allegedly taken from the left hand of the deceased, Mario Deane, matched the DNA profile obtained from the blood found on a swab allegedly taken from the passageway in front of cell number four at the Barnett Street police lock-up in Montego Bay, St James,” Lowe stated. “It also matched a DNA profile from blood on shorts allegedly taken from suspect Adrian Morgan.” To confirm the identity, Lowe compared the DNA profiles with samples taken from Deane’s mother, Mercia Fraser, via a buccal swab. She said the results strongly supported the conclusion that Deane was the source of the blood found in the tested samples. “Mercia Fraser ... cannot be excluded as being the biological mother of the source of the blood ... . The probability of maternity is 99.998 per cent. Therefore, the source of the blood cannot be excluded as Mario Deane,” she added. Lowe noted that a swab taken from a nearby drain was inconclusive, likely due to environmental damage such as heat, moisture, or chemical exposure, which compromised the DNA. Under cross-examination by defence attorney Dalton Reid, Lowe acknowledged that the testing did not include DNA from Deane’s father but maintained that he findings were conclusive based on maternal comparison. Following her testimony, High Court Justice Courtney Daye adjourned the trial until May 5 after being informed that a doctor from Cornwall Regional Hospital, who was scheduled to testify yesterday, was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict. Stewart, Clevon, and Grant are charged with manslaughter and misconduct in a public office as they were allegedly at the Barnett Street facility when Deane was beaten on August 3, 2014. Stewart is also charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly ordering the cleaning of the cell, where Deane was beaten, before the arrival of investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations. christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:46",
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      {
      • "article_id": "b60f7084c7a1cc8ee19c65bf57b44e34",
      • "title": "'We reject criminality, we reject crime' – Premier",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/world-news/20250502/we-reject-criminality-we-reject-crime-premier",
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      • "description": "TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC ): Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed suggestions that his country is a haven for criminal activity, saying such characterisations are false and do not reflect the territory’s values or reality. Speaking...",
      • "content": "TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC ): Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has dismissed suggestions that his country is a haven for criminal activity, saying such characterisations are false and do not reflect the territory’s values or reality. Speaking during a recent broadcast of Virgin Islands Voice, Wheatley denounced sections of a UK-commissioned law enforcement review which he said misrepresented the BVI. “We reject criminality, we reject crime, and we also reject the characterisation of the Virgin Islands as a place where criminality runs rampant.” He said the review, conducted by Sir Andy Cooke, contains recommendations that do not align with the territory’s governance structure or lived reality. “Just the fact that you did a review doesn’t mean that that automatically becomes government policy,” he explained, noting that decisions on policies rest with the Cabinet and House of Assembly. “This is one of the safest places in the world,” Dr Wheatley stated, adding that residents are often surprised at how freely he moves about without security. “They say they’ve never seen it in their life.” The Premier said his government will not support recommendations that undermine the territory’s autonomy, particularly in law enforcement and financial services. “We are a responsible player, a responsible society, and also a responsible finance centre,” he said. “That is the role that we play, and we will continue to play globally.” Wheatley emphasised that the BVI remains committed to tackling any areas of concern. “It’s not to say that we don’t have challenges. Yes, we do. We have to work hard to eliminate those challenges.” He said the government is working with the National Security Council and the Governor’s office to review the report’s recommendations carefully. A letter outlining the territory’s unified position has been drafted and is expected to be signed by all 13 members of the House of Assembly. The premier also pointed to the territory’s broader constitutional goals. “We are going to negotiate very hard with the United Kingdom to ensure that we are able to maintain control of our immigration department, maintain control of our customs department, maintain control of our financial investigation agency,” he said. He added that the Virgin Islands must continue on a path toward greater self-determination. “We cannot stay in the position where we are forever. We have to be able to advance, we have to be able to move forward.”",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:40",
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      {
      • "article_id": "d1c25544b7e97f5833751df9cb65618a",
      • "title": "Young resigns as chairman of PNM",
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      • "description": "PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC): Outgoing prime minister, Stuart Young, Wednesday submitted his resignation as chairman of the People’s National Movement (PNM) following the party’s resounding defeat in Monday’s general election. In a letter to the...",
      • "content": "PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC): Outgoing prime minister, Stuart Young, Wednesday submitted his resignation as chairman of the People’s National Movement (PNM) following the party’s resounding defeat in Monday’s general election. In a letter to the PNM chairman, Foster Cummings, Young 50, who had replaced Dr Keith Rowley as prime minister last month, said his resignation is “effective immediately. “I thank my party’s membership for the opportunity to have served as chairman from December 2022 to date. I give my commitment to continue to advocate our cause and hold the opposition to account on behalf of my constituents, my party and the citizens in the parliament as we move forward,” he said. The senior counsel, who called the general election one day after he had been sworn in as the head of government, said he had always “served the party with a sense of pride coupled with an acknowledgement of the responsibility that representation comes with. “After deep personal reflections on events culminating with the results of the 2025 general election, I hereby tender my resignation as chairman of the PNM, with immediate effect”. Young’s decision follows Rowley’s statement on Wednesday that he intends to tender his resignation as the PNM leader, during the party’s General Council meeting later on Wednesday. “On January 06, 2025 I indicated my intention to step down as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement with the party holding a convention to elect a new political leader in September,” Rowley wrote in a statement posted on his Facebook page. He said in March, on his last day in office as prime minister, he informed the country that, “although my term as political leader legally runs until 2026, it was my intention to vacate this position at the earliest opportunity in consultation with the leadership of the movement. “Today I will address the general council and tender my resignation as political leader of the People’s National Movement which will take effect from tomorrow – Thursday, May 1, 2025,” he said, adding “this completes my disengagement firstly in the government (March 16, 2025) and finally, in the party, (May 01, 2025).” “I offer my sincere thanks to all for the opportunity to be of service in the various offices. I extend my best wishes to the PNM and the nation,” he added.",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:31",
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      • "article_id": "fa024312692c76eaf9d444abf75f68bf",
      • "title": "Nurses protest delay in appointments",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/world-news/20250502/nurses-protest-delay-appointments",
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      • "description": "NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC: The Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) has criticised the government of hiring foreign nurses even as local nurses are yet to receive their appointments dating back to 2023. In 2023, the government recruited 18 nurses from Ghana under...",
      • "content": "NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC: The Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) has criticised the government of hiring foreign nurses even as local nurses are yet to receive their appointments dating back to 2023. In 2023, the government recruited 18 nurses from Ghana under a renewable two-year contract. A total of 42 Cuban nurses were recruited in 2022 to ease the strain on the public health system. “In 2023, the government brought in some nurses from Ghana. Those nurses [went] through an orientation like they’re doing today. The government housed these nurses. The government is also advancing three months’ salary to these nurses,” said BNU president, Muriel Lightbourne, adding that the local nurses “are still waiting from 2023 for an appointment”. But Health Minister Dr Michael Darville said the delay in appointing the local nurses is due to a prolonged vetting process being carried out by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “We have nurses who graduated in 2023 and 2024. I’ve had an opportunity to speak with these nurses and to make it very clear that one of the challenges we’re having with the public service is the vetting, and the 13 nurses are still experiencing a vetting from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “We reached out to the police about two weeks ago. They have indicated that they would expedite the service. Once that’s completed, their files will be completed, and it will go to the Public Service Commission,” Darville said. But the BNU has dismissed the statement saying the 26 local nurses, from 2023, have met all the requirements and yet they are being frustrated. Lightbourne called the situation “a slap in the face\", adding “how are you going to assign these same nurses from 2023 in an orientation like what they’re having today, and turn around two, three years later, assign them to another orientation in the same setting like today. “God is not pleased with that,” she added. Darville further defended the government decision to hire foreign healthcare workers because other countries have been recruiting the top talent from The Bahamas. “We have massive recruitment of our healthcare professionals from developed countries. As fast as they take our professionals, we have to replace them.”",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:23",
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      • "article_id": "68b0ab4500d8ee19b326478063b96fe9",
      • "title": "Jamaicans set to star at Miami GST",
      • "link": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20250502/jamaicans-set-star-miami-gst",
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      • "description": "Jamaican hurdlers Roshawn Clarke and Ackera Nugent are expected to headline the Jamaican contingent set to get under way today at Grand Slam Track’s (GST) second meet of the season at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miami, Florida. With 10 Jamaican...",
      • "content": "Jamaican hurdlers Roshawn Clarke and Ackera Nugent are expected to headline the Jamaican contingent set to get under way today at Grand Slam Track’s (GST) second meet of the season at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miami, Florida. With 10 Jamaican athletes set to compete over the three days of competition, six will take to the track in the series’ opening day. Nugent will be one of the first Jamaicans on track as she lines up in the women’s 100 metres hurdles as a part of the short sprints race group set for 4:42 p.m. Jamaica time. She is set to challenge compatriot Megan Tapper, who was recently added to the GST line up as a challenger, and Olympic champion Masai Russell of the United States. USA’s Kendra Harrison, the former world record holder, will also line up in the race as she will make her GST debut as a race challenger. Nugent finished third overall in the standings in the Kingston Grand Slam with 13 points, behind fellow Jamaican Danielle Williams, 20, and American Tia Jones, 15. Williams is notably absent from the field this time around, however, as her status as a challenger means she is not committed to run at all four slams this season. Clarke will take part in the men’s long hurdles race group when he lines up in the men’s 400m hurdles at 5:06 p.m. Jamaica time, setting up another exciting clash with Brazilian star Alison dos Santos. The U20 world record holder will be looking to improve on his second place finish last time out as finished on 13 points, behind dos Santos’ perfect tally of 24. Clarke will be joined by compatriot Malik-James King who finished fifth at the Kingston Grand Slam with nine points. Stacey-Ann Williams and Nickisha Pryce will be the final Jamaican representatives on day one as they line up in the women’s long sprints 400m event. The duo will be hoping for much improved performances as they had finished sixth and eighth at the Kingston’s staging, with Williams’ tally six points to Pryce’s four. The remaining four Jamaican athletes will get into action on day two with Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake leading the lines in the men’s short sprints race group. Shiann Salmon and Andrenette Knight will take part in the women’s long hurdles as Rushell Clayton has withdrawn from the event after picking up an injury at the Kingston Grand Slam. gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com",
      • "pubDate": "2025-05-02 05:11:03",
      • "pubDateTZ": "UTC",
      • "image_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com/sites/default/files/styles/jg_article_image/public/media/article_images/2025/05/02/3117900/8297029.jpg?itok=heYwbIT3",
      • "video_url": null,
      • "source_id": "jamaicagleaner",
      • "source_name": "Jamaica Gleaner",
      • "source_priority": 15868,
      • "source_url": "https://jamaica-gleaner.com",
      • "source_icon": "https://i.bytvi.com/domain_icons/jamaicagleaner.png",
      • "language": "english",
      • -
        "country": [
        • "jamaica"
        ],
      • -
        "category": [
        • "sports"
        ],
      • "sentiment": "positive",
      • -
        "sentiment_stats": {},
      • -
        "ai_tag": [
        • "sports"
        ],
      • -
        "ai_region": [
        • "miami gst"
        ],
      • "ai_org": null,
      • "duplicate": false
      }
    ],
  • "nextPage": "1746162663806799524"
}

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