分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Professor Lincoln Edwards, President of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), has proposed a groundbreaking collaboration between the Jamaican government and churches to transform religious spaces into vibrant learning hubs. Speaking at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) Industry/Academics Conference 2025 on October 1, Professor Edwards emphasized the potential of these centers to engage youth in technology and prepare them for future challenges.

Humbert Davis, President of the National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB), is spearheading a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the lives of Jamaica’s senior citizens through the strategic and engaging game of dominoes. The NADB, in collaboration with the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), recently hosted a domino tournament that transcended mere competition, fostering mental agility, social interaction, and joy among participants. The event, held in Morant Bay as part of the St Thomas leg of the competition, brought together seniors who engaged in spirited matches, showcasing both skill and camaraderie. Davis emphasized that dominoes is more than a pastime—it’s a vital tool for cognitive health and social connection, essential for healthy aging. The tournament was marked by a warm yet competitive atmosphere, with Gilbert Whittle and Healey Johnson emerging as champions. Whittle expressed his gratitude, praising the organizers for creating a meaningful and enduring experience for seniors. Davis lauded the participants’ enthusiasm, highlighting the event’s success in promoting mental resilience and community engagement.

In a significant legal development, music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been sentenced to 50 months in prison following his conviction on charges related to prostitution. The sentencing took place on Friday in New York, where Judge Arun Subramanian delivered the verdict after a daylong court hearing filled with emotional testimonies. Prosecutors had initially sought an 11-year prison term, while Combs’ legal team argued for a 14-month sentence, citing time already served during his incarceration in Brooklyn. Combs, 55, expressed deep remorse during his court address, pleading for mercy and another chance to make amends. ‘I ask your honor for mercy,’ he stated. ‘I beg your honor for mercy.’ Earlier this year, Combs was acquitted of more severe charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, but was found guilty of two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the involvement of Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, who submitted a harrowing letter detailing the abuse she endured during their decade-long relationship. Ventura described being coerced into participating in ‘freak offs,’ which involved sexual marathons orchestrated by Combs. She also recounted physical and emotional trauma, stating that she continues to suffer from nightmares and flashbacks. Another woman, identified as Jane, corroborated these allegations. Prosecutor Christy Slavik criticized Combs for what she described as a lack of genuine remorse, noting that he had even scheduled speaking engagements in Miami anticipating a lighter sentence. Combs’ defense attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, portrayed him as a remorseful individual and a positive influence in the Black community, urging the court to consider his contributions to social justice. Combs’ six adult children also spoke on his behalf, with his eldest son, Quincy Brown, calling him ‘a changed man.’ His daughter, D’Lila Combs, pleaded for the family to be given a chance to heal together, emphasizing their humanity over the sensational headlines.

TRELAWNY, Jamaica – In a commendable display of environmental stewardship, employees of Diamonds International (DI), a prominent jewelry retailer operating at the Falmouth cruise port, dedicated their Friday morning to a large-scale clean-up effort at Burwood Beach. Within a span of two hours, the team successfully gathered 20 large bags of waste, including plastic bottles, condoms, paper, wet wipes, and various other debris from the popular shoreline. This initiative underscores DI’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and community engagement. ‘Diamonds International is deeply committed to giving back to the community, and today’s clean-up activity is a testament to our resolve in maintaining a clean and sustainable environment,’ the company stated. Notably, DI also manages jewelry stores at the Ocho Rios cruise port in St. Ann, further extending its influence and community outreach efforts across the region.

In a high-stakes sentencing hearing on Friday, federal prosecutors in New York urged Judge Arun Subramanian to impose an 11-year prison term on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the influential hip-hop mogul convicted on two prostitution-related charges. Prosecutor Christy Slavik argued that Combs, 55, has demonstrated a lack of genuine remorse and a dismissive attitude toward the law. ‘His respect for the law is just lip service,’ Slavik stated, emphasizing that Combs had booked speaking engagements in Miami, anticipating a lenient sentence—a move she labeled as ‘the height of hubris.’

Combs’s legal team, however, requested a 14-month sentence, which would equate to time already served. Judge Subramanian noted that federal sentencing guidelines suggest a term of six to seven years but retains discretion to adjust the duration. The judge also highlighted Combs’s persistent denial of factual guilt, describing his remorse as ‘qualified.’

Combs, who submitted a letter to the court pleading for mercy, expressed fear of being separated from his family and vowed never to commit another crime. ‘I lost my way,’ he wrote, attributing his actions to a life consumed by drugs and excess. His mother and six children were present in court, submitting letters in his support.

The case stems from a federal statute prohibiting the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution. While jurors acquitted Combs of the more severe charges of sex trafficking and racketeering in July, sparing him a potential life sentence, the conviction on lesser counts remains significant.

Combs’s former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, provided harrowing testimony during the trial, detailing years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In a letter to the judge, Ventura urged consideration of the lives Combs has ‘upended with his abuse and control.’ She recounted a 2016 incident captured on video, where Combs was seen beating her as she attempted to flee a ‘freak-off’—a term used to describe coerced sexual marathons. Ventura and her family have since relocated from New York, fearing retribution if Combs is released.

The defense did not deny Combs’s sexual activities or history of violence but argued that these actions did not meet the legal threshold for the charges he faced. Combs, who has been incarcerated in Brooklyn for over a year, described his time in prison as transformative, claiming he has been ‘humbled and broken to my core.’

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A police constable, Brenton McLean, appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on September 30 to address a charge of unlawful wounding stemming from an incident in 2018. The alleged event took place on June 25, 2018, near the Garmex Textile Complex on Marcus Garvey Drive. The charge was brought forward following a thorough investigation by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) and a subsequent ruling by the Office of the Director of Prosecutions (ODPP). McLean is scheduled to return to court on December 8, 2025, for further proceedings. Indecom reports that since 2024, 47 law enforcement officials, including members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Department of Correctional Services, have been charged in connection with incidents investigated by the commission. Of these, 28 were charged in 2024 and an additional 19 in 2025. Notably, 21 of the 47 charges were related to assault investigations.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Wolmer’s Boys’ School is set to revolutionize student preparedness with its annual Ready for Life Initiative, which will now include on-campus passport applications starting October 9, 2025. This groundbreaking program, spearheaded by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), aims to equip students with essential life skills and services directly on school grounds. Beyond passports, the initiative offers Tax Registration Numbers (TRN), learner’s licence applications, driver education, NIS cards, and bank account openings, ensuring students are well-prepared for adulthood. The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will facilitate the passport services, marking a significant expansion of the program’s scope from local to global readiness. Organizers emphasize that the initiative transcends mere paperwork, focusing instead on empowering young men to thrive in Jamaica and beyond. Principal Dwight Pennycooke lauded the program as a bold redefinition of education, emphasizing empowerment over traditional academics. PTA President Dageon Whiteley highlighted the initiative’s role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, fostering future leaders and global citizens. The Ready for Life Initiative stands as a national model of collaborative success, uniting parents, schools, government, and the private sector to shape a brighter future for students.

In a heartwarming display of resilience and dedication, Felix Morris, a disabled Jamaican father, has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to his daughter’s upbringing. Morris, who lost limb function in his hands due to an accident, has been the primary caregiver for his daughter, Daniel Morris, despite his physical challenges. His efforts have now been rewarded with a scholarship for Daniel, granted by the Eternal Father Awards (EFA).

Morris is the first recipient of the EFA’s Sam Sharpe Award for Exemplary Fathers with Disabilities. The scholarship, valued at J$250,000, was made possible through donations from The President’s 25, a select group of individuals supporting the EFA’s initiatives. The financial aid will cover school-related expenses for the 2025/2026 academic year, provide a laptop and smartphone, and fund the sitting of CSEC subjects in 2026.

EFA President and Founder Anna Smith emphasized the organization’s mission to honor Jamaican fathers who defy negative stereotypes of fatherhood. “Felix Morris embodies the spirit of resilience and love that we seek to celebrate. His story is a testament to the power of community and the impact of collective support,” Smith stated. She added that the scholarship is not just financial assistance but also a gesture of solidarity to remind Morris that he is not alone in his journey.

The EFA’s initiative, supported by The President’s 25, aims to uplift families facing adversity by providing both material and emotional support. The ceremony, attended by notable figures including Kaysia Kerr, CEO of the National Parenting Support Commission, and George Roper, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting fathers like Morris.

This scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden on the Morris family but also serves as an inspiring example of how community efforts can transform lives. Through this act of generosity, the EFA continues to reshape the narrative around fatherhood, celebrating the quiet yet profound contributions of fathers who overcome immense challenges to provide for their children.