Jamaica’s parliamentary proceedings witnessed heated debate on Tuesday as Opposition leaders sharply criticized the government’s proposed amendments to the Cybercrimes Act, warning that legislative delays have rendered the updates dangerously outdated in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats. The legislative revisions, intended to modernize the 2015 Act following a Joint Select Committee’s 2023 recommendations, aim to enhance penalties, broaden investigative authorities, and strengthen protections against emerging online criminal activities including digital fraud and unauthorized system access. Opposition Leader Mark Golding expressed profound disappointment that the 2026 amendments remain anchored to recommendations formulated before the explosive advancement of artificial intelligence technologies and sophisticated digital manipulation capabilities. ‘For cybercrime legislation to address recommendations from early 2023 without comprehensively confronting AI-generated threats represents a significant failure,’ Golding asserted, emphasizing that the legislation fails to protect individuals from AI-facilitated image manipulation, voice cloning, and reputation damage. The Opposition acknowledged the government’s modernization efforts but insisted the amendments require immediate further revision to address threats that have emerged within the past three years. Parliament members Julian Robinson (St Andrew South Eastern) and Angela Brown Burke (St Andrew South Western) reinforced these concerns, highlighting the unique challenge of technology legislation where delayed implementation directly undermines effectiveness. Robinson emphasized that cyber legislation demands more frequent reviews than other laws due to technological acceleration, while Brown Burke criticized proposed penalties as insufficient deterrents compared to international standards. Both opposition members called for enhanced investigative capabilities, device seizure authorities, and balanced approaches that protect human rights while combating digital crimes.
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Death Knell?
The future of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) appears increasingly bleak as newly uncovered bankruptcy documents reveal substantially worse financial troubles than initially reported. The league, which launched with considerable fanfare, now faces over $40 million in debt—$10 million more than previously disclosed—while generating a meager $1.8 million revenue across its three inaugural events in Kingston, Miami, and Philadelphia.
The financial collapse has left numerous elite athletes in significant financial distress. Olympic sprint hurdles finalist Ackera Nugent, a headline performer who competed in all three events, remains owed an astonishing $21.5 million. World 100m champion Oblique Seville is due nearly $10 million, while two-time world 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams awaits $9.1 million in unpaid fees. Additional Jamaican stars including Andrenette Knight ($8.6 million), Nickisha Price ($7.6 million), and Roshawn Clarke ($6 million) collectively represent millions in unmet financial obligations. American track stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Kenny Bednarek, and Gabby Thomas each face outstanding payments exceeding $28 million.
Noted economist Keenan Falconer expressed profound skepticism about GST’s viability, emphasizing that credibility—once lost—proves nearly impossible to regain. ‘Investor confidence will naturally be more skittish in the aftermath of its financial troubles,’ Falconer told the Jamaica Observer. ‘Perception often matters more than reality in the financial world, so even if these developments were not as negative in actuality, just the mere appearance of damage to the brand is enough to steer investors in another direction.’
Falconer identified multiple strategic missteps that contributed to GST’s downfall, including broadcasting miscalculations, problematic scheduling, logistical challenges, and the absence of field events. The economist also noted that track and field’s inherently limited commercial appeal compared to sports like tennis or golf created additional headwinds, compounded by an overreliance on a small number of investors.
Despite GST’s failure, Falconer maintains that the concept of alternative track leagues remains viable, particularly if future ventures incorporate competition elements and long-term planning. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe echoed this sentiment during a recent Jamaica visit, characterizing GST as ‘a footnote in the history of our sport’ while encouraging continued innovation—provided it’s ‘suffused in reality and credibility.’ Coe emphasized that athlete welfare and sustainable business models must form the foundation of any new athletic venture.
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Health summary reveals chronic diseases account for 80% of deaths
The Saint Lucian Ministry of Health has released its comprehensive 2025 Health Summary Update, providing a detailed epidemiological portrait of the nation’s public health landscape. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George presented the findings, which reveal both significant improvements in infectious disease control and ongoing challenges related to chronic illnesses and healthcare infrastructure.
The report indicates notable demographic shifts, with life expectancy reaching 70.2 years for men and 77.8 years for women. The nation recorded a continued decline in birth rates, with 1,326 live births in 2025 representing a 6.1% decrease from the previous year and a crude birth rate of 7.7 per 1,000 women of childbearing age.
Infectious disease surveillance showed substantial progress: COVID-19 cases declined from 3.4 to 2.0 per 10,000 population, dengue fever cases plummeted by 91% compared to 2024, and gastroenteritis cases decreased by 85%. However, health officials noted the continued circulation of respiratory viruses including new variants of COVID-19, Influenza A and B, and RSV. The report also documented concerning increases in leprosy cases (16 new cases, eight times higher than 2024) and six cases of leptospirosis.
The HIV epidemic shows gradual improvement with a 2.6% decrease in new cases, though 1,003 individuals continue to live with the virus, 58% of whom are male.
Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) remain the dominant health challenge, accounting for over 80% of all deaths. Cancers, cerebrovascular disease/stroke, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus have constituted the top four causes of mortality for the past decade. Behavioral risk factors including low health screening rates, rising obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity continue to drive NCD prevalence.
The report highlighted concerning gender-specific health impacts: males face higher mortality from violence, transportation accidents, and smoking-related respiratory diseases, while females experience greater losses from breast/cervical cancers and perinatal conditions.
Healthcare infrastructure challenges persisted throughout 2025, with facility closures and care diversions due to maintenance issues and mold contamination. However, the CMO noted reductions in environmental air quality-related closures compared to previous years.
Significant achievements included the implementation of free antenatal care, cervical/prostate cancer screening, and snake bite management through the Universal Health Care initiative. The health sector also celebrated the opening of the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic and the official handover of the St. Jude Hospital site in November 2025, with plans to commission dialysis and other clinical units at the facility.
For 2026, the Ministry prioritizes strengthening primary care and NCD programs with enhanced focus on nutrition, wellness promotion, and expanded universal health coverage.
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CARICOM Chair meets with T&T leader this week
In a significant diplomatic move underscoring regional solidarity, CARICOM Chairman Dr. Terrance Drew is embarking on an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week. The distinguished leader, accompanied by CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, will engage in high-level discussions with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her cabinet members.
This strategic visit forms part of Chairman Drew’s concerted initiative to foster direct, in-person dialogue with Caribbean leaders—a cornerstone of his current leadership agenda. The meetings aim to address pressing regional challenges, enhance cooperation frameworks, and strengthen collaborative governance mechanisms across CARICOM member states.
The diplomatic mission follows immediately after similar high-level engagements in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Dr. Drew and Dr. Barnett met with newly appointed Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday in Kingstown last week. This consecutive scheduling demonstrates CARICOM’s proactive approach to maintaining continuous diplomatic momentum throughout the region.
Observers note that such face-to-face consultations are particularly valuable for coordinating policy responses to shared challenges including climate resilience, economic security, and regional health initiatives. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to influence upcoming CARICOM summit agendas and potentially shape new collaborative initiatives across the Caribbean community.
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Bench Warrant Issued After Man Misses Court on Cannabis Charges
A Trinidad and Tobago national is now the subject of an active arrest warrant after failing to appear in Antigua’s High Court for proceedings concerning significant cannabis-related offenses. The bench warrant was formally issued by the magistrate this Tuesday when defendant Andre Solomon and his legal representative were both absent from the scheduled hearing.
The charges stem from coordinated police operations conducted earlier this year at multiple locations including Pares and Parham. Law enforcement officials reported substantial seizures during these raids, including 192 grams of cannabis, over two pounds of processed marijuana, and approximately 790 cannabis plants. The investigation expanded one week later with an additional search at a Hodges Bay residence, where authorities allegedly discovered another four-and-a-half pounds of cannabis, leading to further criminal charges.
Despite being granted conditional release on a $50,000 bail package with a $5,000 cash requirement, Solomon violated his bail conditions which mandated regular reporting to both police and Immigration authorities. Records indicate Solomon had been residing in the country under a visitor’s permit that expired in July of the previous year, adding immigration complications to his existing legal challenges.
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Discover Dominica Authority launches service excellence training for 2026
In a strategic move to elevate its tourism sector, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has partnered with Dominica State College (DSC) to launch the 2026 National Standards of Excellence (NISE) certification program. This comprehensive training series is designed to professionally equip key tourism service providers in anticipation of a significant surge in visitor arrivals, driven by upcoming infrastructure developments including a new Cable Car system and an International Airport.
The initiative targets three critical segments of the tourism workforce: tour guides, taxi service providers, and craft and souvenir vendors. According to DDA representatives, the program’s core objectives are to enhance overall service quality, enforce regulatory compliance, and instill a culture of professionalism across the industry. The training is a cornerstone of the DDA’s broader strategy for workforce development, quality assurance, and capacity building, ensuring that every visitor receives a consistently high-caliber experience that meets established national standards.
A detailed schedule has been released for the certification workshops. Taxi operators will undergo training during evening sessions (5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) on February 23-March 2, May 11-18, and July 13-20, 2026. Craft and souvenir vendors will have day-long sessions (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) from March 9-11. Tour guides are scheduled for day-long training on April 13-20 and September 14-21. All sessions will be conducted at the Dominica State College campus in Stock Farm, Roseau.
Marva Williams, CEO and Director of Tourism, emphasized the program’s importance, stating, ‘As Dominica prepares for increased visitor arrivals, it is essential that our tourism service providers are properly trained, certified, and aligned with national standards. These programs place service excellence, safety, and professionalism at the center of the visitor experience.’
Registration is now open with a fee of EC$500 for tour guides and taxi providers, and EC$300 for craft and souvenir vendors. The fee encompasses all training materials, instruction, evaluation, and the certification itself. Interested participants can obtain registration forms from the Discover Dominica Authority Office on Great Marlborough Street in Roseau. For additional information, the authority can be contacted at 255 8221 or via email at [email protected].
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Family files wrongful death claim over prisoner’s death in custody
The family of Chinlee Robinson, a 23-year-old who died while incarcerated at His Majesty’s Prison in January 2025, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the government. The legal claim, submitted to the Attorney General’s Office, accuses both prison authorities and police officials of gross negligence leading to Robinson’s tragic demise.
Robinson was discovered deceased on January 24, 2025, merely hours after receiving bail for an alleged mobile phone theft offense. Recent testimony during a Coroner’s Inquest revealed contradictory narratives about the events preceding his death. A juvenile inmate testified about hearing a sudden scream on the night of January 23 followed by unusual silence throughout the correctional facility. The witness further described inadequate overnight supervision protocols, noting inmates remained confined to their cells from mid-afternoon without proper monitoring.
Forensic medical analysis presented to the inquest determined the cause of death as asphyxiation resulting from oxygen deprivation, neck trauma, and subsequent cardiac failure. Family members emphasized Robinson’s excellent physical condition as an active footballer with no pre-existing health complications.
Notably, Robinson had endured approximately five weeks in detention and was reportedly experiencing significant distress due to unexpected delays in his release caused by administrative passport complications.
Legal representative Wendel Alexander, acting for the grieving family, has formally demanded a comprehensive homicide investigation. Law enforcement authorities have dismissed this request, with Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Cabral asserting no indications of criminal wrongdoing. Conversely, Superintendent of Prisons Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather acknowledged strangulation as the probable cause of death, creating contradictory official statements.
The civil suit seeks substantial compensation including general and punitive damages, alongside legal expenses and accrued interest, highlighting the family’s pursuit of accountability and justice.
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Directorate of Gender Affairs Opens Nominations for International Women’s Day 2026 Spotlight Series
The Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA) in Antigua and Barbuda has officially commenced its nomination process for the International Women’s Day 2026 Spotlight Series, initiating a nationwide search for exceptional female philanthropists whose transformative contributions have significantly impacted local communities.
Aligned with the 2026 theme ‘Give to Gain,’ this initiative seeks to identify and celebrate women who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to community upliftment through selfless service and resource allocation. The program specifically targets individuals whose generosity has created tangible social improvements across the nation.
DoGA has extended an open invitation to public members, community organizations, and institutional bodies to submit nominations for women exemplifying leadership through actionable compassion. Ideal candidates are those who consistently dedicate time, assets, and emotional support to enhance societal welfare without seeking recognition.
The selection criteria emphasize transformative contributions in multiple domains including exceptional community service, advocacy for vulnerable populations, youth empowerment initiatives, compassionate leadership, and sustainable change creation. This recognition program forms an integral component of DoGA’s annual International Women’s Day observances, designed to illuminate the frequently overlooked contributions of women driving national development through quiet, consistent action.
The nomination window will remain open until February 18, 2026, with submission guidelines available through DoGA’s offices at Lower Nevis Street or via telephone consultation at 1 (268) 560-5207. The Directorate emphasizes the importance of public participation in identifying deserving candidates whose altruistic efforts embody the spirit of transformative giving worthy of national acknowledgment.
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AMPYOU Mental Health Tour to return in February
A groundbreaking mental health initiative harnessing the therapeutic power of artistic expression is revolutionizing emotional wellness education across Saint Lucian schools. Jamaican-American choreographer and life coach Khaja J, in partnership with dancer Jamaal ‘MOX’ Bruce, has pioneered Tallawah Caribe – an organization dedicated to fostering emotional resilience through movement and creative arts.
Founded in early 2025, the organization has launched its flagship A More Positive You (AMPYOU) Mental Health School Tour, bringing innovative psychological tools to Caribbean youth. The program represents a significant departure from conventional mental health approaches, instead employing dance, creative expression, and group activities as primary modalities for emotional development.
Between November 14 and December 4, 2025, the initiative reached eight educational institutions including Castries Comprehensive Secondary, Corinth Secondary, and St. Mary’s College. The program’s overwhelming success has prompted an expanded second phase commencing February 2026, now incorporating teacher participation and enhanced creative components.
“Our methodology provides practical tools for mental health management while creating safe spaces for vulnerability without judgment,” Khaja explained to St. Lucia Times. The program’s unique approach stems from her personal journey using dance to overcome life challenges, demonstrating how artistic expression can communicate experiences beyond verbal capabilities.
Bruce emphasized the program’s broader educational value: “We’re introducing students to emotional intelligence concepts and authentic relationship-building within their communities and daily lives.”
The initiative has gained official endorsement through collaboration with Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation. The structured curriculum incorporates group discussions, trivia games, interactive Q&A sessions, creative activities, and physical exercise.
Looking beyond Saint Lucia, Tallawah Caribe envisions regional expansion throughout the Caribbean. Khaja confirms ambitious plans to “visit countries throughout the Caribbean to implement similar programs, ensuring consistent impact across the region” where alignment with local educational objectives exists.
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Auto body technician arrested for attempted murder in West Demerara
A 39-year-old auto body technician from La Grange, West Bank Demerara, is now in police custody following a violent attack on a 34-year-old woman that authorities are investigating as attempted murder. The incident occurred Tuesday evening at approximately 7 PM in the same village where both individuals reside.
According to police reports, the victim was seated on her front veranda with family members when an assailant described as an unidentified masked male dressed in dark clothing forced his way into the property. The individual, reportedly armed with a handgun, launched a direct physical assault on the woman.
The attack escalated as the victim attempted to flee to safety. Police indicate she was pursued into a neighboring yard where she was struck from behind, causing her to fall and sustain significant injuries to her head and body. During the altercation, the assailant allegedly discharged two rounds from his firearm in her direction before successfully escaping the scene.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the discovery of a suspected 9mm spent shell at the location. Additionally, investigators have identified relevant CCTV footage in the vicinity that is currently being processed as part of the ongoing evidence collection. The victim, identified as a self-employed resident of Dr. Doctor, was transported to a private medical facility where she remains admitted for treatment of her injuries.
The suspect was subsequently apprehended by authorities and is currently being held in connection with the attempted murder investigation. The case continues to develop as police work to establish motive and complete their evidentiary review.