PARIS, France — In a heartfelt announcement on Wednesday, French tennis star Gael Monfils revealed that the 2026 tennis season will mark the end of his illustrious professional career. The 39-year-old, renowned for his athleticism and captivating playing style, has been a prominent figure on the ATP tour for over two decades since his debut at the Open de Moselle in October 2004.
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Mottley urges support for full free movement of Caricom nationals
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that Barbados, alongside St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, and Dominica, will fully implement the free movement of nationals among these Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries starting today. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), enabling the unrestricted flow of goods, skills, labor, and services across the region. The Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat confirmed that extensive preparations have been made to ensure a seamless rollout, while other CSME member states will continue facilitating movement under existing skilled worker provisions. In a national address, Mottley emphasized the transformative potential of this policy, acknowledging both excitement and anxiety among citizens. She highlighted Barbados’ historical leadership in regional integration and assured that the move would bolster jobs, public services, and economic growth. Mottley outlined key procedures, including immigration status and public health safeguards, while reaffirming the region’s robust security architecture. She also underscored the economic benefits, noting that incoming workers would contribute to local businesses, housing, and tax revenues. Addressing demographic challenges, Mottley stressed the need for a strong workforce to support aging populations and social security systems. She dismissed concerns about exploitation, affirming that existing labor laws and minimum wage standards would apply equally to all workers. Mottley concluded by framing the initiative as a measured, compassionate step toward building bridges in a world increasingly defined by division.
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US govt shutdown begins after Congress fails to reach deal
The United States federal government entered a shutdown early Wednesday after lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to resolve a bitter budget standoff. The impasse, centered on Democratic demands for increased health care funding, has left hundreds of thousands of government workers furloughed and disrupted services for millions of Americans. This marks the first shutdown since the historic 35-day closure during Trump’s previous term.
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Adult film actor Austin Wolf sentenced to 19 years in prison for child sexual exploitation
Justin Heath Smith, widely known by his stage name Austin Wolf, has been handed a 19-year prison sentence for his involvement in luring minors into illegal sexual activities and engaging in prohibited sexual conduct. The 44-year-old adult film actor was also ordered to undergo 10 years of supervised release and pay a $40,000 fine. The sentencing was delivered by US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who oversaw Smith’s guilty plea. US Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the severity of Smith’s crimes, stating, ‘Justin Heath Smith’s crimes against children are horrible. He targeted kids as young as seven, and every New Yorker wants him off our streets for as long as possible.’ Smith’s actions included arranging meetings with minors for sexual exploitation, recording illicit encounters, and distributing child pornography. Investigations revealed that Smith possessed over 1,291 files of child pornography, some depicting infants and toddlers. His arrest followed a federal search warrant executed at his residence, preventing a planned encounter with a purported seven-year-old child. Smith’s case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors.
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Guyanese national convicted of stealing American-funded aid
In a significant development, U.S. authorities have concluded a years-long investigation, unsealing an indictment in the District of South Carolina against two foreign nationals for conspiring to illegally divert U.S.-funded global health commodities. The defendants, Eric Ndungu Mwangi, a 40-year-old Kenyan national, and Davendra Rampersaud, a 42-year-old Guyanese national, along with their associated businesses, were charged in a 2021 superseding indictment by a federal grand jury. The indictment was initially sealed to safeguard the ongoing investigation, which was spearheaded by the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The investigation centered on the KEMSA Medical Commodities Programme (MCP), a USAID-funded initiative with a budget of approximately $650 million. The KEMSA MCP aimed to establish a secure and sustainable supply chain management system for HIV/AIDS commodities in Kenya, while also supporting the warehousing and distribution of family planning, nutrition, and malaria supplies. However, beginning in 2014, Mwangi and his company, Linear Diagnostics (LD), systematically stole HIV test kits and other commodities intended for KEMSA. These stolen goods were then sold to Rampersaud and his Guyanese company, Caribbean Medical Supplies, Inc. (CMS).
In 2015, Rampersaud fraudulently obtained a ‘Letter of Authority,’ enabling him to secure a lucrative, sole-source contract with the Guyana Ministry of Health for the illegally acquired products. Between 2015 and 2019, Rampersaud allegedly paid Mwangi over $177,000 for the diverted medical supplies, including the stolen, USAID-funded HIV test kits meant for Kenya. Rampersaud further profited by selling these stolen health commodities to the Guyanese government. Additionally, he and his company acquired and sold test kits stolen from another separate USAID programme.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina described the investigation as ‘incredibly complicated, spanning years and an ocean,’ emphasizing that the defendants ‘jeopardised a vital public health mission and caused a significant loss to the American taxpayers.’
In February 2021, Kenyan authorities arrested Mwangi on charges related to theft and fraud. He is currently awaiting trial in Kenya and faces up to 20 years in prison, fines, and supervised release on the American charges. Rampersaud was arrested in January 2023 during a flight layover in Miami, en route to Guyana. He was transported to Charleston, South Carolina, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and stealing or converting health commodities funded by USAID. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Rampersaud, crediting him for time served, and imposed a three-year supervised release term and an $84,000 fine.
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PNP mourns the passing of Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Trelawny Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence, who died on Tuesday evening at the Falmouth Public General Hospital. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Zuleika Jess, highlighted Judge Lawrence’s exceptional contributions to Jamaica’s legal system. ‘Judge Lawrence’s passing is a profound loss for our nation. She was a paragon of integrity and compassion, leaving an enduring legacy in the legal profession. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, judicial colleagues, and the broader legal community,’ Jess remarked. The PNP emphasized Lawrence’s distinguished career, noting her unwavering dedication to justice and her profound respect for individual rights. ‘Her exemplary service embodied the principles of fairness and equity, earning her the admiration of her peers and the gratitude of those she served. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of legal practitioners and public servants across Jamaica,’ the party stated. Judge Lawrence’s life and work stand as a testament to her commitment to justice, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s legal landscape.
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Prince Harry dials in to latest London court media battle
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was reportedly connected remotely to a London court hearing on Wednesday, marking the latest chapter in his ongoing legal confrontation with British media outlets. The hearing is part of a broader case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, which Harry and six other high-profile individuals accuse of serious privacy violations.
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SMEs gain bold insights at CEO luncheon
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operators in Jamaica are being encouraged to adopt a global perspective and implement strategies to enhance their competitiveness on the international stage. This advice was delivered by industry leaders Michelle Chong, CEO of Honey Bun, and Robert Scott, CEO of Lifespan Distributor, during the Honey Bun Foundation’s CEO Luncheon at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. The event highlighted the importance of thinking beyond local markets and exploring opportunities for export and collaboration, regardless of the industry. Both CEOs emphasized the need for SMEs to adopt a mindset akin to that of larger corporations, focusing on scalability and operational excellence. Scott particularly stressed the value of strategic networking, urging attendees to move beyond merely collecting contacts and instead focus on building meaningful relationships and exchanging services. He highlighted the underutilized potential of bartering, which can be mutually beneficial for businesses. Chong reinforced the idea of thinking big, encouraging SMEs to adopt a franchise mindset, which involves creating standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to transition from business owners to quality control managers. Integrity and reputation were also underscored as critical components for success, especially in a small, interconnected market like Jamaica.
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WATCH: 29 Knox College students escape serious injuries in Manchester bus crash
MANCHESTER, Jamaica—A group of 29 students from Knox College in Spalding narrowly avoided serious injuries when their Coaster bus veered off the Content to Williamsfield main road on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 8:00 am, according to local police reports. Sergeant Florizel Williams, head of the Manchester Traffic Department, stated that the driver swerved left to avoid colliding with a vehicle that had abruptly stopped in front of the bus. This sudden maneuver caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the bus running off the road. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported among the students. While most of the students proceeded to school, some were left traumatized and were picked up by their parents to return home. Sergeant Williams emphasized the importance of dash cameras in vehicles to clarify responsibility in such incidents. He urged motorists to install dash cams and suggested that insurance companies make their use mandatory to ensure clarity in accident investigations. Williams highlighted that dash cameras would help eliminate ambiguity in determining fault and improve overall road safety.
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Police treating death of parish judge as suspected suicide
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Authorities are currently investigating the death of Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence as a suspected suicide. Lawrence was pronounced dead on Tuesday evening at the Falmouth Public General Hospital. Acting Commissioner of Police (ACP) Glendon Miller, overseeing the Area One Police Division, stated that the preliminary investigation points to suicide, though the inquiry remains in its early stages. ‘Our investigative team, led by Superintendent Jermaine Anglin, is meticulously gathering all necessary information to ensure a thorough examination,’ ACP Miller emphasized. Forensic investigations commenced last night and are ongoing, with statements being collected to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death. Lawrence was found unresponsive at her Coral Spring residence in Trelawny and was rushed to the hospital around 7:50 pm. Preliminary reports indicate no visible signs of physical injury on her body. The case continues to unfold as investigators work to confirm the cause of death.