In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Jamaica’s Mt Pleasant FA secured a resounding 5-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC in the first leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-finals. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain on Wednesday, saw Mt Pleasant FA take a formidable four-goal lead ahead of the return leg next week in Kingston. Raheem Edwards was the standout performer, netting a brace, while Warner Brown, Shaqueil Bradford, and Kimoni Bailey each contributed to the scoreline. Despite a late consolation goal by Kaihim Thomas for Defence Force FC, Mt Pleasant FA maintained their dominance throughout the game. This historic encounter marked the first meeting between the two teams in an international competition, with both making their semi-final debut. The return leg promises to be a thrilling showdown as Defence Force FC seeks to overturn the deficit.
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Wisdom reclaims title at Jamaica Draughts & Pool Checkers Open Tournament
The Jamaica Draughts & Pool Checkers Open Tournament, held recently at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, brought together the island’s finest draughts players in a display of exceptional skill and strategic prowess. Organized by the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) in partnership with the Montego Bay Warriors Draughts Club, the event, themed ‘Settle All Arguments,’ drew competitors from across Jamaica, underscoring the growing popularity of the sport.
In the highly anticipated Top Masters Division, defending champion Jason Wisdom clinched victory in a thrilling finish, narrowly defeating International Grandmaster Wayne ‘Shine’ Reid and Jermaine ‘Tiger’ Delattibudiere by a mere half-point. Reid secured second place, while Delattibudiere took third, following a tie-breaker under the Swiss system.
The tournament also spotlighted emerging talent in the class two and class three divisions. Everette Kavanaugh emerged as the class two champion, with 16-year-old Justin Angus, Jamaica’s youngest competitor in this category, finishing as runner-up. Godfrey Menzie claimed third place. In class three, Dexton Hudson took the top spot, followed by Jason Case and Alexander Rose.
The JDA highlighted the broader benefits of draughts, emphasizing its role in enhancing strategic thinking, problem-solving, and mental focus. Research has shown that engaging in mentally stimulating games like draughts can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline, making it both a competitive and health-enhancing activity.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing local talent and providing a platform for players to excel at national and international levels, ensuring the continued growth and recognition of draughts as a sport of intellectual and strategic significance.
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Quarry operator seeks return of seized property
Prominent businessman Danny Guerra, along with 14 other individuals, appeared in court for the first time following charges related to the unlawful processing of aggregate without a license from the Ministry of Energy. Guerra, 50, the proprietor of DG Homes and manager of D Guerra Ltd, was among 17 people detained during a significant police operation on October 9. The operation targeted an alleged illegal quarry in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, resulting in the seizure of a multi-million-dollar washplant, trucks, excavators, and other heavy machinery. Guerra’s son, Garvin Guerra, 28, was also among those detained. The group, which includes Carminco Ltd supervisor Hannah Bovell, several truck drivers, and foreign nationals, was granted $50,000 bail on October 11, though three foreign nationals remain in custody due to their inability to access bail. Magistrate Avoinne Gill upheld the existing bail terms. Police informed the court that their investigation remains incomplete, requesting two months for the Director of Public Prosecutions to assign state counsel. Defence attorneys objected to the delay, prompting the court to order interim disclosure by October 24. Volumetric testing of materials from the site is still pending. Attorney Dayadai Harripaul, representing Guerra, indicated her client’s intent to seek High Court relief for the release of seized property, urging the police to return the equipment. The group faces charges under Section 45(1)(a) of the Minerals Act for processing minerals without a license at Lot A, San Carlos Estate, Manuel Congo. The case is set to resume on November 11.
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PNM, UNC wrangle over ‘new ministry’ being ‘in a mess’
A contentious meeting of the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives unfolded on October 22, as government and opposition members clashed over the approval of a $1.8 billion expenditure for the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training. Minister Prof Prakash Persad defended the ministry’s budget, describing it as a ‘lean, small, and agile’ entity. He acknowledged the challenges of establishing baseline financial figures for the newly reconstituted ministry and hinted at potential mid-year funding adjustments if allocations proved insufficient. However, the meeting quickly devolved into a heated exchange over long-standing vacancies within the ministry. Opposition MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly pressed Persad for clarity on the number of unfilled positions, to which he responded that 126 out of 911 positions had been filled, attributing the disarray to the previous administration. The debate grew increasingly acrimonious, with MPs from both sides interjecting and Speaker Jagdeo Singh repeatedly calling for order. Persad denied evading questions, while Gadsby-Dolly accused him of providing inconsistent answers. The session highlighted the deep political divisions surrounding the ministry’s restructuring and financial management.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Fishers advised to head for land
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Authorities in Jamaica have issued urgent warnings to fishers and marine operators to evacuate coastal and offshore waters as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches the island. Dr. Gavin Bellamy, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), emphasized that safety remains the top priority as the island braces for severe weather conditions.
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Integrity Commission announces new appointments
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Integrity Commission of Jamaica has taken a significant step forward in its mission to uphold integrity and transparency within the public sector. On Wednesday, a formal swearing-in ceremony at King’s House marked the official appointment of three distinguished directors to the commission’s leadership team. Governor General Sir Patrick Allen presided over the event, endorsing the selection of Craig Beresford as executive director, Roneiph Lawrence as director of corruption prosecution, and Joeth Jones as director of information and complaints. The commission emphasized that these appointments reflect a strategic move to enhance its operational capacity and reinforce its commitment to combating corruption. In a statement released on the same day, the commission highlighted the new directors’ extensive experience and unwavering dedication to their roles. Their leadership is anticipated to bolster the commission’s efforts in safeguarding public interests, addressing unethical practices, and fostering accountability in public life. The commission reiterated its guiding principle: ‘Integrity is the quiet force that compels us to do what is right — even when it is inconvenient, unpopular, or unseen.’ This development underscores Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and promote ethical standards across its institutions.
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Works halted at Diego Martin Sporting Complex pending review
The Diego Martin Sporting Complex project has been temporarily halted as it undergoes a comprehensive review, according to Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts. Speaking during the Standing Finance Committee in Parliament on October 21, Watts revealed that no funding has been allocated for the complex in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, which has earmarked $290,652,400 for the ministry. The decision to pause funding was driven by the need for expert assessment to determine the next steps for the facility. When questioned by Diego Martin West MP Hans De Vignes about the previously allocated $5 million for refurbishment, Watts clarified that the project, like others such as Chatham, is under review, and no timeline for completion has been set. Meanwhile, the ministry continues to focus on other infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the Sevilla tennis courts and Dubisson Park in Ste Madeleine. At Sevilla, improvements include refurbishment of the tennis courts and upgrades to the air-conditioning system. In Ste Madeleine, ongoing work on the outfield and pavilion is part of broader plans for a clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pool, car park, access road, and perimeter fencing. However, progress at Dubisson Park has been slower than expected, with the contractor exceeding the scheduled completion time. Watts emphasized that the ministry is working to resolve these delays. In Port of Spain, the Basilon Street Youth Facility remains closed due to security issues and incomplete work by the contractor, including the theft of computers. Watts stated that the ministry will not take possession of the facility until these issues are resolved. Additionally, Watts confirmed that there are no active projects planned for Tunapuna and Tacarigua, and completion works at the Eddie Hart Grounds are not on the agenda. On a positive note, Watts addressed the delayed payments to TT’s standout athletes from the 2025 World Athletics Championships, javelin gold medallist Keshorn Walcott and 400m silver medallist Jereem Richards, assuring that the process to disburse their rewards is underway.
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Mohit: UNC working for the people
In a recent address to the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on October 21, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the nation’s most vulnerable populations. Mohit underscored that every policy, program, and financial allocation is meticulously designed to empower and transform lives, particularly those of the poor, elderly, disabled, women, children, and families in crisis. Despite facing significant fiscal constraints, the ministry has remained steadfast in its focus on impactful expenditure rather than mere cost-cutting. In the previous fiscal year, the government invested over $4.5 billion in senior citizens’ grants, $267 million in public assistance, $79 million in disability grants, and $10 million in relief through the National Social Development Programme. Mohit highlighted that these efforts ensure no citizen is overlooked or unsupported. Looking ahead, the government plans to strengthen the social protection ecosystem by reviewing the standard means test to promote fairness and inclusion, modernizing delivery systems for greater efficiency, and enhancing collaboration with agencies like the Children’s Authority. The committee subsequently approved a budgetary allocation of $6,012,215,208 for the ministry. During the session, Mohit faced scrutiny from PNM MPs regarding the continuation of certain projects initiated under the previous administration. She assured that the government is actively considering these issues, while also addressing concerns about funding discrepancies for NGOs and the allocation of resources for women and children.
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US says two dead in strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat in Pacific
In a significant escalation of its anti-drug operations, the United States conducted a military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation on Wednesday, marking the first such attack on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. The strike, which was carried out in international waters, brings the total number of similar operations to at least eight, with a death toll of at least 34. Hegseth described the targets as ‘narco-terrorists’ and emphasized that no US forces were harmed during the mission. The Trump administration has framed these actions as part of an ‘armed conflict’ with Latin American drug cartels, which it has designated as terrorist organizations. However, critics argue that the US has not provided concrete evidence to substantiate its claims, and legal experts contend that such summary killings are unlawful. The campaign has heightened tensions with regional allies, particularly Venezuela and Colombia, where US military presence has raised concerns about broader geopolitical motives. Colombia recently recalled its ambassador to the US following a public feud between President Gustavo Petro and Donald Trump over the latter’s aggressive anti-drug strategies. Despite these tensions, both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to combating drug trafficking.
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JPS activates emergency operations ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa looms over Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has initiated its emergency operations plan to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to potential damage to the island’s power infrastructure. The company is emphasizing the importance of safety and urging residents to take necessary precautions before, during, and after the storm.