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KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service Foundation convened a critical Climate Action Conference and Expo at the AC Marriott Hotel, transforming postponed plans into a powerful demonstration of climate resilience necessity. Originally scheduled for November 2025, the event was rescheduled after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa’s devastating October passage—a disruption that organizers noted underscored the very urgency of their mission.

Under the thematic banner “Road to Resilience: Energy, Disaster Preparedness and Food Security,” the gathering united students, stakeholders, and community members with particular emphasis on engaging Jamaica’s youth in climate response strategies. Sophia Lewis, Head of the JPS Foundation, opened proceedings by framing the conference as both timely and essential given the nation’s recent meteorological experiences. “We want you to leave here today not just informed but inspired,” Lewis declared. “Awareness of challenges must translate into motivation for solutions, empowering everyone to contribute toward a more sustainable Jamaica.”

Lewis emphasized that resilience constitutes a shared commitment rather than any single organization’s responsibility. The Foundation, she noted, proudly serves as an environmental steward dedicated to community empowerment, innovation support, and solution advancement that would help Jamaica not merely withstand climate change but emerge strengthened.

Winsome Callum, JPS Foundation Director speaking on behalf of Chairman Damian Obiglio, highlighted the organization’s sustained focus on youth engagement and empowerment. “Small actions create significant differences,” Callum observed, detailing how the Foundation fosters learning opportunities, encourages volunteerism, and builds partnerships that transition awareness into concrete action. She outlined priority areas spanning climate resilience, STEM education, and community empowerment, describing the event as the Foundation’s flagship initiative—a convergence point for ideas, innovations, and actionable strategies that position JPS as a climate action thought leader.

Callum addressed recent extreme weather patterns as indicative of a troubling trend, noting Hurricane Melissa’s impact as part of a escalating pattern that raises stakes considerably. Professor Dale Webber, Special Envoy on Climate Change, Environment, Ocean and Blue Economy, delivered a keynote address expanding on climate change’s multidimensional threat. “Climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue,” Webber asserted. “It represents a developmental, economic, social, and national security challenge.”

He detailed the catastrophic impacts of recent hurricanes, citing Hurricane Beryl (July 2024) and Hurricane Melissa (October 2025), with the latter causing approximately $1.9 trillion in damages, destroying 200+ buildings, affecting 40,000+ hectares of agricultural land, disrupting electricity distribution networks, and impacting 600+ schools. Webber urged Jamaicans to reconsider critical resource usage and take decisive resilience-building actions, referencing Jamaica’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that target 50% renewable energy generation by 2030. This commitment, he explained, aligns with a national energy policy creating a clear pathway toward reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced resilience.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities in Kingston have successfully intercepted an illegal firearm and ammunition cache during a targeted operation conducted Thursday afternoon in the Piccadilly Road area of Kingston 5. The operation, which commenced at approximately 12:40 PM, was initiated based on specific intelligence regarding concealed prohibited weapons in the vicinity.

Police units executed a meticulous search of the targeted area, ultimately locating a clear plastic bag deliberately hidden within an excavated cavity along the bank of a local gully. The concealed package was found to contain one Taurus GX4 9mm pistol equipped with a magazine loaded with fourteen 9mm cartridges. Forensic examination revealed the weapon had been deliberately altered, with its serial number completely removed, and was carefully wrapped in a blue and white cloth.

While the seizure represents a significant disruption to local illicit arms trafficking, authorities confirmed that no arrests have been made in direct connection with the discovered firearm. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has launched a comprehensive investigation to trace the origin of the weapon and identify potential individuals involved in its possession and concealment. This operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat gun-related crimes and enhance public safety across Kingston metropolitan areas.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — In a meticulously coordinated late-night maritime operation, Trinidadian law enforcement successfully rescued a 73-year-old kidnapping victim just hours after her abduction, dealing a significant blow to organized criminal networks operating in the region.

The dramatic rescue unfolded after Tara Poliah was forcibly taken from her San Juan residence on Don Miguel Road by armed assailants at approximately 7:00 PM local time. The incident triggered an immediate intelligence-driven response involving multiple security agencies.

According to official reports, the breakthrough came when the nation’s advanced radar surveillance system detected suspicious maritime activity. Acting on intelligence from the Radar Centre, security forces intercepted a vessel approximately one nautical mile off the Corozal coast shortly before midnight.

Onboard the intercepted craft, authorities discovered Poliah unharmed alongside eight suspects—six Venezuelan nationals and two Trinidadians. The operation subsequently led to the apprehension of two additional suspects at Tyrico Bay, bringing the total detainees to ten individuals.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro highlighted the operation’s success, emphasizing that the rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and intelligence-led policing strategies in combating transnational criminal activities.

The operation leveraged Trinidad and Tobago’s sophisticated coastal surveillance network, an Israeli-made radar system that received a $7.5 million upgrade in 2018. This advanced technology provides comprehensive maritime monitoring capabilities extending as far north as Grenada, playing a crucial role in detecting illegal activities including drug trafficking and human smuggling.

Poliah has since been reunited with her family while investigations into the kidnapping continue. The successful operation marks a significant achievement for Trinidadian authorities in their ongoing efforts to enhance border security and combat organized crime.

Portuguese authorities have apprehended a former French law enforcement officer with a turbulent history of domestic disputes, now accused of the brutal murders of two women following an international manhunt. Cedric Prizzon, 42, was intercepted by police near Meda in northern Portugal while traveling with his two children, aged 12 years and 18 months. The arrest culminated a multinational search operation initiated after both his current partner and former girlfriend vanished from their residences in France’s Aveyron region last week.

Investigative units subsequently discovered two human remains interred in a remote location, believed to be those of the missing women. Prizzon’s vehicle yielded substantial evidence including a pump-action shotgun, counterfeit documentation, altered license plates, and approximately €17,000 in cash. The suspect, who previously served in the Paris police force and participated in rugby at youth international level, had been engaged in protracted custody litigation regarding his son.

Judicial proceedings commenced Thursday at the Vila Nova de Foz Côa courthouse, where local residents expressed outrage by chanting accusations as the defendant arrived. The children are scheduled for repatriation to France while identification protocols and evidence consolidation continue. Prizzon’s history includes prior convictions for harassment and unlawful child relocation to Spain in 2021, alongside active participation in fathers’ rights demonstrations protesting custody decisions.

French investigators had designated Prizzon as the prime suspect shortly after the disappearances, noting his pattern of social media campaigns against his former partner. Community members from the affected villages expressed shock at the violence, with one resident noting that while they considered Prizzon ‘unhinged,’ they never anticipated such extreme actions. The judicial review may extend through Friday as authorities continue questioning the suspect.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaican law enforcement authorities have announced an ambitious road safety initiative targeting a drastic 50 percent reduction in motorcycle-related fatalities by 2026. This targeted effort forms a critical component of a broader national objective to bring the country’s annual road fatalities below 300.

Senior Superintendent of Police Lloyd Darby, the Commanding Officer for the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), outlined the three-pronged strategy, which hinges on rigorous enforcement, comprehensive public education campaigns, and specialized training, all facilitated through strategic partnerships. A cornerstone of this plan is a newly adopted zero-tolerance policy toward all traffic violations committed by motorcycle operators.

“This integrated strategy of zero-tolerance enforcement for all motorcycle offences, combined with proactive public education, was formally launched in February,” SSP Darby stated. He provided concrete data to underscore the initiative’s initial impact, revealing that “786 motorcycles have been impounded to date, a significant increase from the 336 seized during the same period last year.”

The senior officer made these remarks during a Helmet Enforcement Training session held at the JCF Area Four Headquarters (Harman Barracks) on March 25. He emphasized that collaborative efforts and enhanced training are indispensable for effectively altering road-user behavior and improving enforcement outcomes.

“It is a recognized fact that the Jamaica Constabulary Force cannot unilaterally manage traffic and reduce crash fatalities,” Darby pointed out, highlighting the necessity of multi-stakeholder engagement.

The current training program, orchestrated by the JN Foundation under the auspices of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition, is specifically designed for PSTEB personnel. Running from March 25 to 27, the curriculum blends theoretical classroom instruction with hands-on practical exercises. This training is planned to be implemented in multiple phases, with the ultimate goal of being permanently incorporated into the institutional training framework of the JCF.