分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Kingston has been selected as one of 13 cities worldwide to participate in the Carter Center’s Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign. This global initiative seeks to enhance women’s access to government information and essential city services, fostering gender equity and transparency. Mayor Andrew Swaby hailed the inclusion as a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to empower women and promote inclusivity. He emphasized that the campaign aligns with Kingston’s broader objectives, including the potential adoption of frameworks like CEDAW, which would further solidify the city’s commitment to gender equality. The initiative will provide Kingston with resources to implement activities such as media outreach, community programs, government training, and public art installations, while also facilitating knowledge-sharing among participating cities. Now in its fourth phase, the campaign spans 48 cities across five continents, impacting over 255 million people. Kingston joins a diverse group of cities, including Abuja, Cardiff, Guadalajara, Karachi, and Toronto. The launch coincides with the International Day of Universal Access to Information, highlighting the campaign’s focus on transparency and the fundamental right to information. For further details, visit www.informwomen.org.

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Grand Blanc, Michigan, when a shooter targeted a Mormon church, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The assailant, a 40-year-old man from a nearby town, was fatally shot by law enforcement following the attack. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the violence, which also involved the suspect setting the church on fire. President Donald Trump condemned the act on his Truth Social platform, labeling it as a “horrendous” attack on Christians in the United States. Eyewitness accounts and images from the scene depicted emergency services evacuating victims on stretchers and a massive plume of dark smoke rising from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Local Police Chief William Renye reported that the suspect drove his vehicle through the church’s front doors before opening fire with an assault rifle. The service was reportedly attended by hundreds of congregants. Authorities believe the gunman intentionally ignited the fire before being neutralized by responding officers. Ten individuals with gunshot wounds were hospitalized, one of whom succumbed to injuries. The fire has since been extinguished, but officials anticipate discovering additional victims once the scene is secured. A nearby resident recounted hearing screams and pleas for help. FBI agents have joined the investigation, with Chief Kash Patel denouncing the act as a “cowardly and criminal” attack on a place of worship. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she has been briefed on the incident.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a recent development, 45-year-old Conroy Grant, alias ‘Snack,’ has been formally charged with simple larceny by detectives from the St Andrew South Police Division. The charges stem from a theft incident that unfolded on Waltham Park Road in Kingston 13. The Hunt’s Bay Police reported that the crime occurred at approximately 6:45 am on August 25. A woman had parked her vehicle outside a local business establishment, leaving a bag containing $230,000 inside. Upon her return, she discovered the money had vanished. Surveillance footage later identified Grant, a windscreen wiper residing on Delacree Lane in Kingston 11, as the individual who removed the cash from the bag. After a thorough investigation, Grant was apprehended by authorities. Police officials confirmed that he admitted to the crime and provided a caution statement in the presence of his legal counsel. Grant is set to face the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on October 14, where he will answer to the charges brought against him.

In a startling incident in St. Catherine South, Jamaica, a 39-year-old man has been charged with sacrilege following an alleged break-in at a local church. Robert Barnett, also known as “Mogo,” residing on North Edgewater Avenue in Portmore, was apprehended after he reportedly forced his way into a church on Cecile Avenue, Edgewater, on September 13. According to police reports, Barnett entered the premises around 11:30 pm by prying open a window. Once inside, he allegedly stole a bag containing $3,000 and a Samsung keyboard valued at $175,000. However, the church’s security system was activated, prompting a private security team to respond swiftly. Barnett was discovered inside the building, detained, and later handed over to law enforcement. After being interviewed in the presence of his attorney, Barnett was formally charged on September 27. His court appearance date remains pending.

Once a derelict space in Poor Man’s Corner, St Thomas, overrun with garbage and unfulfilled potential, has been revitalized into a thriving community centerpiece. Kaana Pitch, a synthetic football turf developed by Roger Gordon and Anika Gordon of Jam Flooring and Outdoor Supplies, now hosts the annual Kaana Pitch Football League. This event attracts teams and spectators from St Thomas, Bull Bay, and Kingston, fostering unity and excitement. The 2023 league, concluding on September 21, saw 21 teams compete, with El Chapo clinching the $100,000 grand prize, TT Money securing second place with $50,000, and Red Hills taking third with $25,000. Beyond the thrill of competition, the league has become a catalyst for community bonding and youth development. Players like Andrew from Red Hills highlighted the joy and camaraderie the event brings, while El Chapo’s coach, Tommy Ricketts, emphasized its role in instilling discipline and positive behavior among young participants. The league’s grand finale also included a back-to-school initiative, providing students with essential supplies. Roger Gordon, one of the organizers, underscored the importance of engaging youth through sports, noting its impact in reducing street violence and fostering community spirit. Kaana Pitch has evolved into more than a football venue; it’s a weekend gathering spot for events, exercise, and social interaction. The Gordons’ vision to repurpose the abandoned lot into a recreational space has been a resounding success, with plans to expand facilities to include a pickleball court for seniors and a netball court. Supported by sponsors like Klesing Industrial Supplies Ltd and Romax Auto Parts, the league aims to grow further, with hopes of attracting more sponsors for future editions. Kaana Pitch stands as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives.

In a pre-dawn operation conducted by the St Catherine South Police in Portsmouth, Portmore, Jamaica, three individuals, including a woman, were apprehended on Saturday. The operation, which took place around 5:00 am, targeted a residence on Portsea Road. During the search, law enforcement officers uncovered a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol concealed in a towel, accompanied by a magazine loaded with sixteen 9mm rounds. Further investigation led to the discovery of an additional four 9mm rounds hidden within a chest of drawers in one of the bedrooms. The three occupants of the house were promptly taken into custody. Authorities have chosen to withhold their identities as the investigation continues. This seizure underscores the ongoing efforts by Jamaican police to combat illegal firearms and enhance public safety in the region.

The Jamaica Meteorological Service has prolonged its flash flood alert for vulnerable regions, including St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover, until 8:00 am on Monday. Meanwhile, the warning has been lifted for other parishes with immediate effect. The adverse weather conditions are attributed to a trough generated by Tropical Depression Nine, currently situated near The Bahamas, which has triggered widespread instability across the island. Satellite imagery, radar data, and automated rainfall reports confirm that moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms have impacted southern parishes and Hanover from Saturday night into Sunday morning. The forecast predicts continued periods of intense showers and thunderstorms, particularly in southern regions, extending into Monday. This persistent rainfall has saturated the soil, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides. Fishermen operating near cays and banks are advised to exercise extreme caution due to deteriorating sea conditions caused by thunderstorms and strong winds. A flash flood warning indicates that flooding is either occurring or imminent. Authorities urge motorists and pedestrians to avoid flooded roadways and low-lying areas due to dangerous currents. Residents in flood-prone zones are encouraged to remain vigilant and prepare for swift relocation to higher ground. The Met Service will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The untimely death of Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, has reignited conversations about mental health awareness and the role of social media in identifying and addressing mental health crises. Spaulding, a 26-year-old accountant, was found dead in her home under circumstances that suggest suicide. Her passing has left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the broader community, particularly Dr. Saphire Longmore, a consultant psychiatrist and former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, who expressed deep regret over not recognizing the warning signs in Spaulding’s social media posts.