Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Bermuda in their FIFA World Cup qualifier. This triumph has propelled them back to the top of their group in the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, with just two matches left to play. The game, held at the National Stadium, showcased a series of standout individual performances that underscored the team’s dominance.
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Candidates, contributors campaign financing submissions due Wednesday
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has issued a reminder to all candidates who participated in the September 3, 2025, General Election, emphasizing that the deadline for submitting their election expense reports is Wednesday. According to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), candidates or their official agents are legally obligated to file the Return of Election Expenses within six weeks following Election Day. The submission must be made using the prescribed Form 22, and the law caps election spending at a maximum of $15 million per candidate. Additionally, contributors to election campaigns are also mandated to provide their legally required declarations by the same deadline. These documents must be submitted to the returning officer of the respective constituency or directly to the Director of Elections at 43 Duke Street, Kingston, addressed to the Legal Affairs and Compliance Department. Once the submissions are received, the ECJ will compile and publish a summary of the declarations provided by the candidates.
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Trump’s H-1B visa fee hike could send Jamaican professionals to other countries
The Donald Trump administration’s decision to impose a staggering $100,000 application fee for employers seeking to hire foreign professionals through the H-1B visa programme has raised significant concerns among immigration experts. Immigration attorney Dayle Blair warns that this move could ‘backfire’ on the US, potentially driving skilled workers to countries like Canada and China, which are actively courting global talent in fields such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, and education. Blair highlighted China’s recent introduction of the K-Visa, a sponsor-free visa category aimed at attracting STEM professionals, as a direct response to the US’s restrictive measures. The K-Visa, launched on October 1, 2025, is part of China’s broader strategy to compete for skilled workers, though details on fees and requirements remain undisclosed. Blair also noted that remote work could offer an alternative for US employers, but concerns over data security and client permissions persist. The H-1B visa, which allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialised fields, has seen a 20-fold fee increase from $5,000 to $100,000, effective September 21, 2025. This sharp rise comes as the US government pushes for companies to hire more local talent. However, Blair and other experts argue that this policy could stifle US innovation and businesses by restricting access to a global talent pool. Smaller companies, in particular, may struggle to afford the new fee, potentially limiting their ability to hire skilled foreign workers. The announcement has already caused widespread concern among employers, with many scrambling to bring employees back to the US before the deadline. Additionally, Jamaicans are being warned to remain vigilant against scams that often arise during periods of immigration uncertainty. Immigration attorney Nadine Atkinson-Flowers urged individuals to rely on credible sources and make informed decisions to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
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Warmington wants gov’t to take full responsibility for housing scheme roads
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Everald Warmington, Member of Parliament (MP) for St Catherine South Western, has urged the Jamaican Government to assume full responsibility for the maintenance of roads in housing schemes, particularly those constructed four to five decades ago, which are now in a state of severe disrepair. Warmington presented a motion to this effect in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, aiming to establish this as official Government policy if debated and approved.
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Jamaica’s inflation rises by 0.8% in September, driven by food and housing
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s consumer prices surged by 0.8 per cent in September, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). This increase, driven by escalating costs in food, housing, and education, has elevated the annual point-to-point inflation rate to 2.1 per cent for the period spanning September 2024 to September 2025. The education sector witnessed the most pronounced monthly price hike, soaring by 5.6 per cent, primarily due to higher tuition fees at private primary schools as the new academic term commenced. The housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels category also saw a 1.0 per cent rise, reflecting increased electricity rates and rental expenses. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices climbed 0.9 per cent, largely influenced by higher costs for agricultural produce such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and cabbages. Over the twelve months leading to September 2025, the housing division and restaurant and accommodation services were the primary contributors to the 2.1 per cent inflation rate, with increases of 4.8 per cent and 4.1 per cent, respectively. Food and non-alcoholic beverages experienced a more modest annual rise of 0.7 per cent. Regional disparities in inflation were evident, with the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area recording the highest monthly increase at 1.0 per cent, compared to 0.8 per cent in other urban centres and 0.6 per cent in rural areas. Additional sectors facing upward pressure included transport, which rose 0.3 per cent due to higher petrol prices and toll fees, and personal care goods and services, which increased by 0.5 per cent. These rises were partially mitigated by stability or deflation in other categories. The information and communication division remained unchanged for the month but declined by 5.8 per cent year-on-year, while insurance and financial services showed no monthly or annual variation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in the general level of prices for goods and services purchased by households, underscores the ongoing economic challenges faced by Jamaican consumers.
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Kim Kardashian’s new faux pubic hair underwear sold out
Kim Kardashian’s latest venture into provocative fashion has sparked both controversy and commercial success. Within 24 hours of its release, her Skims faux hair micro string thong, dubbed ‘The Ultimate Bush,’ sold out completely. The 44-year-old reality star unveiled the daring product line on Tuesday, promoting it as Skims’ “most daring panty yet.” The launch was accompanied by a video on Instagram, captioned, “Just dropped: The Ultimate Bush. With our daring new faux hair panty, your carpet can be whatever colour you want it to be.” Despite the immediate backlash from social media users, who questioned the necessity and practicality of the product, it quickly became unavailable. Priced at US$34.97, the thong now has a waitlist as of Wednesday. Critics took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their disbelief, with one user humorously asking, “Do we wash this in the washer or use shampoo and conditioner lmao?” Another commented, “Girlies how is this sold out?! We can grow out our bush for free.” The product’s rapid sell-out highlights the polarizing yet impactful nature of Kardashian’s brand.
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Case dropped after credit union worker repays $2.6m, but…
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant legal development, former credit union employee Dianne Thompson was discharged from a multimillion-dollar larceny case on Tuesday by Parish Court Judge Paula Blake Powell. Thompson had been accused of embezzling $2.6 million from 25 customers of the credit union where she was previously employed. She faced 22 charges, including simple larceny and unauthorized access to computer data, to which she pleaded not guilty. The case was dismissed after it was confirmed that Thompson had repaid $2.7 million to the credit union, exceeding the initial amount she was accused of stealing. However, further investigations revealed additional missing funds, bringing the total to over $6 million. Thompson had been instructed to repay the full amount by her case management date in October, but the remaining balance will now be addressed in a separate legal proceeding. The case highlights ongoing issues of financial misconduct and the complexities of restitution in such matters.
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Health ministry continues to improve vector-control programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Wellness has significantly bolstered its vector-control initiatives in response to a surge in mosquito populations and the heightened risk of vector-borne diseases. Portfolio Minister Christopher Tufton provided a detailed update to the House of Representatives on October 15, outlining the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat the issue.
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NEPA urges caution at beaches this Heroes’ weekend
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaicans prepare to flock to the beaches during the National Heroes’ weekend, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has issued a strong call for vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure a safe holiday experience. The agency’s warning comes in response to recent drowning incidents at the nation’s beaches, highlighting the need for heightened caution. Anthony McKenzie, Director of Environmental Conservation and Management at NEPA, emphasized the importance of using licensed beaches under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and encouraged the public to consult NEPA’s beaches web page for detailed information. To promote safety, NEPA has shared essential beach safety reminders, including monitoring weather conditions, swimming only in lifeguarded areas, staying hydrated, observing warning signs, supervising children, and avoiding solo swimming. Additionally, NEPA urged beachgoers to adopt environmentally friendly practices, such as proper garbage disposal, to protect marine life and maintain the pristine condition of Jamaica’s coastline.
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US to carry out third execution this week
A Mississippi man convicted of heinous crimes is set to face lethal injection on Wednesday, marking the third execution in the United States this week. Charles Crawford, 59, was sentenced to death for the 1994 rape and murder of Kristy Ray, a 20-year-old college student. The execution is scheduled for 6:00 pm Central Time (2300 GMT) at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.
This execution follows two others carried out on Tuesday in Florida and Missouri, with another planned for Friday in Arizona. Richard Djerf, 55, will be executed for the brutal 1993 murders of four members of a Phoenix family. So far this year, the US has seen 37 executions, the highest number since 2013, when 39 inmates were put to death.
Florida leads the nation with 14 executions, followed by Texas with five, and South Carolina and Alabama with four each. The majority of these executions have been conducted via lethal injection, though alternative methods such as firing squad and nitrogen hypoxia have also been employed. The latter method, involving the pumping of nitrogen gas into a face mask to induce suffocation, has drawn criticism from United Nations experts, who deem it cruel and inhumane.
While 23 US states have abolished the death penalty, three others—California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—have imposed moratoriums. President Donald Trump has been a vocal advocate for capital punishment, calling for its expanded use for the most severe crimes since his first day in office.