In a decisive move, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has voted unanimously to file a lawsuit against the Government of Jamaica, alleging that numerous educators were unjustly forced into retirement. The decision, made during a General Council meeting on September 27, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the JTA and the Government. JTA President Mark Malabver confirmed the development, emphasizing that the union has exhausted all other avenues for resolution. The conflict stems from recent amendments to the Pensions Act, which the JTA claims have compelled teachers to retire before the legal age of 65, disrupting their financial planning and obligations. Despite earlier assurances from the Ministry of Finance to address the issue, the JTA asserts that no formal communication or action has been taken since February. Malabver reiterated the union’s commitment to seeking justice through the courts, stating that legal proceedings would commence shortly. The JTA is also engaged in protracted wage negotiations with the Government, with Malabver criticizing the current offer of a 7.5% increase over three years as inadequate. He stressed that the Government must recognize education as an investment rather than charity, urging a fair resolution to both the retirement and wage disputes.
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Caricom agriculture ministers meeting in St Kitts-Nevis
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — Caribbean Community (Caricom) agriculture ministers gathered in St Kitts on Tuesday for a pivotal meeting addressing critical issues in fisheries, aquaculture, and regional food systems. The discussions, part of the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025), focused on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhancing trade and employment in the sector, and establishing a new grievance redress mechanism for the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) based in Belize.
In his opening address, St Kitts and Nevis Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins underscored the vital role of agriculture in regional development and resilience. “Agriculture is not just another sector. It is the very lifeblood of our people, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food for every family,” he stated. Reflecting on the CWA 2025 theme, “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience,” Duggins emphasized that the policies and partnerships forged during the event would shape the region’s future prosperity.
Duggins urged regional leaders to prioritize agriculture, which he described as a pillar of sovereignty and growth. He highlighted local initiatives, such as the food import reduction program, which focuses on increasing the production of high-demand crops like bananas, plantains, coconuts, and pineapples. Additionally, he noted efforts to scale climate-smart practices, expand agro-processing, and empower youth and women in the sector. Duggins also stressed the importance of South-South cooperation, particularly with African nations, to foster shared learning and innovation in agriculture.
The meeting, chaired by Anguilla’s Minister of Economic Development Kyle Hodge, also addressed regional training and capacity-building needs, supported by UNESCO’s GRÓ-Fisheries Training Programme. Ministers reviewed progress on initiatives like the STAR-Fish Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, and the BE-CLME+ Project, aimed at promoting blue economy priorities in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) launched its Common Apiculture Policy during the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Agriculture meeting. Developed under the EU-funded BioSPACE Programme, the policy aims to protect bees as essential pollinators while strengthening the apiculture sector through sustainable practices and research-driven strategies. Beekeeper Monroe Tweed highlighted the policy’s focus on standardizing beekeeping practices and addressing pest management challenges.
As part of CWA 2025, the OECS-Caricom Caribbean Honey Show will showcase honey and related products, offering attendees a taste of regional apiculture innovations. Additionally, the CRFM will collaborate with local organizations to host the Caribbean Small-scale Fisheries & Aquaculture Forum, further advancing the region’s agricultural and marine resource goals.
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban split after 19-year marriage
In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood icon Nicole Kidman and country music sensation Keith Urban have reportedly ended their 19-year marriage, as per US media outlets. The couple, who exchanged vows in 2006 and share two teenage daughters, have been living separately since the onset of summer. Sources close to the situation reveal that Kidman, 58, was reluctant to part ways and made efforts to salvage the relationship. Meanwhile, Urban, 57, has relocated from their Nashville family home to a new residence within the city. The news was first reported by entertainment platform TMZ, though AFP has yet to independently verify the separation. Kidman, an Academy Award-winning actress, has been described as the pillar holding the family together during this challenging period. She also has two adopted children from her previous marriage to actor Tom Cruise, which concluded in 2001. Despite the reported split, the couple appeared united on social media earlier this year, with Kidman sharing a heartfelt anniversary post in June and Urban celebrating their bond after his Academy of Country Music Awards triumph in May. Kidman, renowned for her transformative role in ‘The Hours,’ remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated figures.
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Endometriosis test backed by French government under scrutiny
In 2022, France introduced a groundbreaking strategy to combat endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting one in ten women of reproductive age worldwide. Central to this initiative was the promotion of the ‘Endotest,’ a saliva-based diagnostic tool developed by French start-up Ziwig. Marketed as a revolutionary solution leveraging artificial intelligence and microRNA technology, the test promised to simplify and expedite the diagnosis of endometriosis, which currently requires invasive surgical procedures. However, despite significant government backing and financial investment, questions linger about the test’s efficacy and broader applicability. Researchers have raised concerns about the limited scope of studies supporting the Endotest, with some arguing that the participant samples may not be representative of the general population. While the French Health Authority (HAS) has acknowledged the test’s diagnostic performance, it has also called for further research to confirm its clinical utility. Critics have pointed out the disproportionate funding allocated to the Endotest compared to other endometriosis research avenues, such as improving ultrasound interpretation. Patient advocacy groups like Endomind have campaigned for broader access to the test, but some patients and experts remain skeptical, questioning whether the Endotest truly represents a significant advancement in endometriosis care. Ziwig’s leadership defends the test, citing published research and ongoing efforts to validate its effectiveness through peer-reviewed journals. As the debate continues, the Endotest remains a focal point in France’s broader efforts to address the challenges of diagnosing and treating endometriosis.
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US lists Caribbean countries in 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report
The United States Department of State has unveiled its 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, highlighting the status of several Caribbean nations in combating human trafficking. The report underscores that ‘trafficking in persons’ and ‘human trafficking’ are interchangeable terms describing crimes where traffickers exploit individuals, including children, for forced labor or commercial sex. The State Department emphasized that any involvement of minors under 18 in commercial sex acts constitutes a crime, irrespective of coercion or fraud. The report categorizes countries into tiers based on their adherence to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) standards. The Bahamas, Guyana, and Suriname were placed in Tier 1, signifying full compliance with TVPA standards. Tier 2 includes Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago, which are making significant efforts toward compliance. St Lucia and Barbados were placed on the Tier 2 Watch List due to increasing trafficking cases and insufficient actions. Saint Maarten, Venezuela, and Cuba were relegated to Tier 3 for failing to meet minimum standards and lacking significant efforts. Haiti, along with Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, was classified as a ‘Special Case.’ The report also outlined potential consequences for Tier 3 countries, including restrictions on foreign assistance and opposition to multilateral development bank loans. The TVPA defines severe forms of trafficking and aligns with the UN TIP Protocol, ratified by over 180 countries, to combat this global issue.
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Youth-led group tackles mental health stigma with peer-to-peer support
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Nowell Lewin Jr, a 23-year-old law student and farmer, is spearheading a transformative movement to address mental health challenges and suicide in Jamaica. Armed with determination and a phone, Lewin founded the Global Integration Society, a youth-led mental health advocacy group dedicated to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental illness in the country.
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PNP appoints Shameel Brown as chair of OT Fairclough Trust Fund
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has unveiled Shameel Brown as the incoming chair of the OT Fairclough Trust Fund Grants Board, marking a significant transition in leadership. Brown takes over from Richard Azan, a Member of Parliament, who has been lauded for his dedicated service in steering the board towards its mission of empowering party workers through various opportunities.
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US judge temporarily halts mass layoff of Voice of America employees
In a significant legal development, a U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plan to terminate more than 500 employees of the Voice of America (VOA). The decision, issued on Monday by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, suspends the layoffs that were scheduled to take effect on September 30. The move comes as part of an ongoing legal battle over the administration’s efforts to restructure government-funded media. Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has been leading the charge to reduce the workforce, arguing it is a necessary step to dismantle what she describes as a ‘bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy.’ However, Judge Lamberth ruled that Lake’s actions were ‘arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with law,’ and emphasized the need for USAGM to fulfill its statutory mandate. The court also expressed concerns that the defendants lacked a plan to comply with an earlier injunction issued in April. The USAGM, established during World War II, plays a crucial role in promoting democracy and countering propaganda through entities like VOA, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia. President Trump has frequently criticized VOA, accusing it of being overly critical of his administration and undermining its editorial independence.
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WATCH: Vox pop on mental health
As Suicide Prevention Month concludes on Tuesday, Jamaicans have voiced their perspectives on the island’s approach to mental health challenges. In a series of interviews, opinions varied widely. Some individuals expressed concern that mental health issues are often overlooked until they escalate into crises, while others emphasized the need for greater support in schools to alleviate stress among students. When discussing personal coping mechanisms, many highlighted simple yet effective activities such as listening to music, journaling, gardening, and spending quality time with friends as their preferred methods of relaxation. The discussions underscore the growing recognition of mental health as a critical issue in Jamaica, though many believe more proactive measures are necessary to address it comprehensively.
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Central Bank of Bahamas says economy grew at moderate pace in August
The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB) has reported that the domestic economy experienced moderated growth through August 2025, aligning closer to its medium-term potential. While tourism output slowed due to constraints in the high-value stopover segment, the cruise sector remained resilient, buoyed by robust earnings and foreign investments in onshore private destinations. However, the unemployment rate rose in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a decrease in employed individuals and an increase in labor force participation. Monetary trends for August were marked by a contraction in banking sector liquidity, as domestic credit growth outpaced deposits, and external reserves declined due to net foreign currency outflows. Tourism sector earnings also slowed compared to 2024, primarily due to accommodation capacity constraints in the stopover segment. Official data revealed a 3.3% decline in total arrivals for July 2025, with sea passengers decreasing by 3.8% and air traffic by 0.9%. The short-term vacation rental market saw a 1% increase in room nights sold, but occupancy rates declined. The average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings rose by 11.8%, while hotel comparable listings saw a 1.1% increase. Labor market conditions worsened in the first quarter of 2025, with the unemployment rate climbing to 10.8% and youth unemployment reaching 20.9%. External reserves decreased to $74.7 million in August, with the central bank’s net foreign currency outflow to the public sector widening. The CBB forecasts slower economic growth in 2025, driven by tourism sector performance, ongoing foreign investments, and global trade uncertainties.