分类： society

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the Caribbean region transitions from a La Niña to an El Niño climate pattern, agricultural authorities across Jamaica are sounding the alarm for local food producers, calling for urgent proactive planning to adapt to unpredictable, drier and hotter conditions forecast over the coming five months. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the body tasked with supporting Jamaica’s rural agricultural sector, has launched an advisory campaign urging all island farmers to adjust their operations ahead of the projected unusual weather trends.

Francine Webb, senior officer for plant health and food safety at RADA, outlined that updated projections from Jamaica’s national Meteorological Service confirm the upcoming wet season will bring far less precipitation than historical averages, making water conservation a non-negotiable priority for agricultural producers.

“Data we have received shows that for the April to June window, leading into the second wet season, conditions will be drier than the historical norm, but we can also expect intermittent heavy rain events,” Webb explained in an interview with JIS News. “This mixed pattern means water conservation has to be at the top of every farmer’s to-do list. We have to be ready for any scenario that unfolds.”

Webb broke down the regional rainfall probabilities by parish, comparing projected totals to 30 years of historical climate data. Across western and northern parishes including St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny, St Ann, and St Mary, there is a 40 to 45 percent chance of rainfall falling below the long-term average. In southern parishes of Manchester, Clarendon, and St Catherine, that probability rises to between 45 and 50 percent. The parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St Thomas, and Portland face similar odds, with a 45 to 50 percent likelihood of below-average precipitation for the April-June period.

Webb emphasized that the long-term drought watch issued across parts of the island should not be confused with the short-term seasonal rainfall forecast, urging farmers to prepare for all possible conditions regardless of the short-term projections.

Looking ahead to the July to September period, Webb noted that the Meteorological Service projects above-average rainfall for a handful of parishes, most notably central St Thomas. But this expected increase in rain does not eliminate drought risk, she stressed: the same area is also under a long-term drought watch.

“Just because we expect higher rainfall in that period doesn’t mean farmers will have excess water to spare,” Webb added. “With temperatures climbing higher than average across the region, any rainfall we get will be offset by rapid evaporation. That makes water conservation critical even in areas projected to see more rain.”

Naming central St Thomas as one of the most vulnerable areas on the island, Webb repeated that efficient, intentional water use is imperative for all Jamaican farmers as they head into the mixed weather period. By taking proactive steps to store and conserve water now, producers can protect their crops and operations from the worst impacts of shifting climate patterns, RADA says.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams approach their May launch date, the JPS Foundation has stepped forward to reinforce its longstanding dedication to accessible education, announcing it will fully cover exam registration costs for hundreds of students enrolled in industrial technology programs, most widely known as electrical studies, across the island. In an official public statement, the philanthropic arm of Jamaica’s leading energy provider detailed that for the 2026 academic cycle, more than 300 learners from 20 secondary institutions spanning all regions of Jamaica will receive the grant support, with the total value of the initiative topping JMD 1.5 million. The foundation frames this program as a targeted, strategic investment in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education that serves two core goals: first, to bolster the technical competencies of Jamaican youth, and second, to eliminate the financial barriers that often force low-income and marginalized students to abandon this high-demand, career-focused subject during their secondary schooling. At a recent symbolic handover event marking the launch of this year’s program, Sophia Lewis, head of the JPS Foundation, underscored the critical role that skilled technical workers play in driving the nation’s long-term economic and social growth. “The future of our country depends on a skilled and innovative workforce,” Lewis noted during her remarks. “By supporting students in technical disciplines, we are helping to build capacity and create opportunities for the next generation that would not otherwise exist.” Since the program’s launch, this sustained investment has already reached more than 3,700 Jamaican high school students, with cumulative spending on the initiative surpassing JMD 15.3 million. Through ongoing, consistent support for technical education, the foundation continues to carve out a meaningful role in preparing young Jamaicans for stable, high-growth careers in a range of technical fields, most notably the rapidly evolving local energy sector.

On a recent Monday afternoon in St. Thomas, Jamaica, a violent confrontation ended in the death of 17-year-old Seaforth High School student Kland Doyle, sending shockwaves through the island’s education community and prompting senior government officials to restate their uncompromising stance against youth violence in educational settings. The fatal altercation, which escalated from a minor dispute, unfolded near the Morant Bay Transport Centre, not far from Doyle’s campus, and law enforcement responded rapidly to apprehend those responsible.

Within days of the incident, the Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed that three suspects had been taken into police custody, with one individual identified as the primary suspect who allegedly carried out the stabbing. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack remain active as authorities work to build a full case for prosecution.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Senator Marlon Morgan, Parliamentary Secretary in Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, traveled directly to Seaforth High School to meet with shaken staff and students, and to extend official condolences on behalf of the government. Standing on the campus that Doyle attended daily, Morgan voiced the profound grief shared across the country over the senseless loss of a young life.

“Every Jamaican understands just how devastating this moment is — we are extremely saddened by the passing of young Doyle,” Morgan stated during his visit. “No parent should ever have to experience the agony of sending their child to school in the morning, only to never have them come home again.”

Morgan used the occasion to emphatically reaffirm the Jamaican government’s longstanding zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of violence and bullying within the nation’s education system. He stressed that the government’s core priority remains protecting students, and that schools must be preserved as safe, supportive spaces focused on learning and growth, free from the threat of harm.

“As a government, we have a zero-tolerance approach to violence and bullying. We actively discourage harmful, antisocial behavior and remain committed to upholding safe learning environments for all our young people,” he said.

The senior education official also voiced growing alarm over a troubling trend: what he described as a steady increase in violent conflicts involving young Jamaicans. He urged students across the country to turn to school administrators, counselors, and trusted adults to mediate disagreements, rather than resorting to physical confrontation that can end in irreversible tragedy.

To support the Seaforth High community as it grapples with grief and trauma, the Ministry of Education has deployed a specialized response team to the campus. The group includes trained school safety officials and licensed mental health counselors, who are providing one-on-one and group support to both students and staff processing the attack.

Morgan emphasized that the entire ministry and Jamaican government stand in full solidarity with Doyle’s family, his friends, and the entire Seaforth High population during this incredibly difficult period. He called on community members across Jamaica to come together to offer emotional support and practical assistance to all those affected. As of the latest update, police investigations into the fatal stabbing are continuing, with authorities working to conclude their work ahead of formal prosecution proceedings.

Heavy, sustained downpours that lasted for hours overnight have left large swathes of the coastal fishing community of Pagee in St. Mary parish, Jamaica, submerged under floodwaters, with local transportation networks thrown into chaos and residents bracing for potential further worsening of conditions early Thursday.

Local resident Sherlon Boota recounted waking to a startling scene: her entire residential yard was fully inundated by rising floodwater. While she has not faced critical disruptions to her own safety so far, Boota explained that many of her neighbors are trapped in their homes, unable to venture outside due to the high water levels. If the rainy conditions persist into the coming days, she warned, dozens of local households will be forced to abandon their properties and find emergency shelter in safer areas.

The flood damage is not limited to residential neighborhoods. Overflow from the Quebec River has left the main roadway connecting Islington and Port Maria nearly impossible to traverse, cutting off a key local travel artery. Albert Johnson, a local taxi operator who works the route, told reporters that drivers have been forced to reroute all trips onto the main highway, and will remain on the alternate path until water levels recede enough to declare the original road safe for use.

In the parish capital of Port Maria, the situation has brought regional travel to a near-standstill. With commuters scrambling to find shelter and all available public and private transportation halted, movement through the town has frozen. As of Thursday morning, emergency officials have not yet received reports of any injuries or casualties related to the flooding event.

Jamaica’s national Meteorological Service has issued an advisory urging all residents living in low-lying, flood-prone zones across the region to remain on high alert. Forecasters project that scattered showers and intermittent heavy rain will continue across the area through at least Friday, keeping flood risks elevated through the end of the workweek.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica-based media firm Emerge Multimedia Limited is launching a groundbreaking, holistic men’s empowerment gathering, the When Lions Roar Men’s Conference, set to kick off on April 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at The Summit, located in the heart of New Kingston. The event is designed to bring together skilled men from across all professional sectors to create a supportive space dedicated to renewal and collective uplift for attendees.

The conference agenda covers a wide range of critical topics that many men rarely get to explore in safe, community-focused settings: mental wellness, intentional leadership, personal self-mastery, spiritual identity, intimate relationships, family dynamics, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial growth. The overarching mission of the gathering is to rebuild a cultural framework where men feel empowered to show up as reliable, productive contributors to their communities and families.

Travis Muschett, founder of the conference and chief executive officer of Emerge Multimedia Limited, shared that the idea for When Lions Roar grew out of a deeply personal moment of struggle. Just weeks before announcing the event, Muschett found himself in a period of low emotional and mental state, which led him to a stark observation: there is a critical lack of dedicated, judgment-free spaces for men to process challenges, recharge, and reconnect with their purpose.

“After that realization, I made the decision to build the space I wished I had,” Muschett explained. “This is a place where men can be rejuvenated, rediscover their core purpose, and reclaim that sense of drive that makes them feel alive. When men truly understand who they are meant to be, and step into the roles of priests, prophets, providers, and protectors they were created to fill, they don’t just change the lives around them — they transform entire nations.”

When Lions Roar will feature 13 accomplished speakers and panelists drawn from diverse backgrounds: Fortune 500-aligned corporate leaders, long-time fathers, successful small business owners, licensed mental health counselors, devoted husbands, community mentors, and respected faith leaders. Attendees can expect a full day of thoughtful discussion, peer-to-peer networking, and growth across every area of life. Confirmed featured speakers include Lloyd Richardson, Wealth Advisor and National Commercial Bank Branch Manager; Ambassador Jamar Wright of Mindfood International Limited; award-winning gospel recording artist Johnmark Wiggan; licensed counselor and social worker David Taylor; and veteran gospel leader Dr Rondell Positive. Muschett will serve as the conference’s lead facilitator for the day.

While this will be the inaugural staging of the event, Muschett noted that his long-term vision extends far beyond a one-day gathering. He hopes to grow When Lions Roar into a sustained movement that reminds every man of his inherent value, importance, and necessity in his family and community. “I want every person who walks through the door to leave with a clearer understanding of who God created them to be, and the unique role they are meant to fill in the world,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you are a husband, father, student, or just starting out on your journey: this space is for you. Invest in your growth, and keep moving forward.”

Additional guest contributors and worshippers joining the event include Jovane Blagrove, Love 101 FM radio broadcaster Jucal Dyer, Pastor Michael Taylor, Dexter Johnson Jnr, Aston Desgouttes, Pastor Kavan Allen, Anthony Welsh, Bishop Phillip Johnson, Pastor Sean Williams, and Pastor Tevaun Brown. For men interested in securing a spot at the inaugural conference, tickets can be purchased online at spurropen.com/lionsroarja or by calling 876-810-2451.

On Wednesday, senior Jamaican law enforcement official Superintendent Keniel Henry delivered alarming testimony that sparked urgent scrutiny of the island nation’s child protection and juvenile justice frameworks during a parliamentary hearing of the Joint Select Committee reviewing the Child Diversion Act.

Henry, a crime commander for the region designated Area Two who also serves with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Criminal Investigations Branch, revealed two deeply troubling recent cases: one involving sexual activity between an 11-year-old and a 6-year-old, and a second incident between a 9-year-old and a 4-year-old. When interviewed, the older children in both cases attributed their behavior to exposure to adult sexual content and activity in their surrounding environments, Henry said.

These shocking disclosures were not isolated incidents, the superintendent emphasized. Instead, they form part of a growing, worrying pattern of harmful sexual behavior among children below Jamaica’s age of criminal responsibility — a group that cannot face criminal charges under current law, but urgently needs structured, targeted intervention to address their psychosocial needs and prevent future harm. Henry called on lawmakers to create new legal provisions that would place these children in specialized support programs, filling a critical gap that currently leaves officials with few actionable options to intervene.

The revelations stunned committee members, who immediately launched a heated debate over root causes, institutional responsibility, and needed reforms. Committee chair Delroy Chuck argued that parental accountability must be central to any solution, suggesting that formal parental orders should be imposed on caregivers who fail to monitor and guide young children, questioning how children as young as four or six could develop such harmful behavior without adult neglect.

But Henry pushed back for a more holistic, systemic approach, noting that while parental failure contributes to some cases, harmful exposure can also stem from school environments and broader community influences that extend beyond parental control. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon reaffirmed her position that all such harmful behavior is learned, tracing its origin back to home environments regardless of where the incident itself occurs. “A child does not wake up and learn this behaviour on their own. They learned it somewhere,” she stated.

The debate expanded to cover the complex dynamics of consensual sexual activity between close-in-age minors, all under 18 years old. Superintendent Kerry-Ann Bailey, head of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, outlined how these cases typically come to light: most often, female minors are reported to authorities by parents or guardians, either after school officials flag an incident, a pregnancy is discovered, parents find explicit correspondence, or a sexually transmitted infection is diagnosed. Contrary to common assumptions, Bailey noted, female minors are not always passive victims — in some consensual cases, girls are actually the ones who initiate the encounter.

Under current law, even in fully consensual close-in-age cases, one minor is often formally labeled as an offender and referred to diversion programs, a framework that critics say fails to address the underlying welfare needs of all children involved. Member of Parliament Isat Buchanan called for new legislation centered on welfare-focused intervention rather than criminalization, paired with strengthened measures to enforce parental accountability, arguing these cases are clear symptoms of deeper systemic failures and widespread child neglect.

Originally crafted to divert young offenders away from the harshness of the formal criminal justice system, the existing Child Diversion Act was shown during Wednesday’s hearing to have major gaps when it comes to children who cannot legally be charged with a crime. In response, Dr. Morris Dixon confirmed that amendments to the broader Child Care and Protection Act are already being drafted to create a more appropriate legal framework for these cases, since most do not involve criminal offenses but rather urgent needs for care, protection, and intervention for children exposed to harmful influences in communities and homes. She added that the joint select committee will clarify which reforms fall under the Child Diversion Act versus the Child Care and Protection Act to advance targeted, effective changes.

On a Wednesday early afternoon in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica, a routine fasting and prayer gathering at the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God was shattered by the crack of gunfire. Worshippers in the middle of singing hymns froze mid-praise, unable to comprehend that violence had penetrated the walls of their sacred sanctuary.

The victim was Cora Thompson, a well-loved member of the church congregation who was shot five times while she sat selling religious books just meters from the church entrance. Several worshippers inside the building told church leaders they heard every bullet strike. In the aftermath of the attack, even after police completed their on-scene investigations and removed crime scene tape, Thompson’s blood remained visible on the outdoor walkway outside the church, a stark reminder of the violence that upended this tight-knit community.

Bishop Ruel Robinson, the church’s senior pastor, shared that the entire congregation is reeling from the trauma of the attack. “I know everybody is traumatised, having heard the explosions and then later to find out that one of their very own got killed,” Robinson said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. The church has moved quickly to organize grief counselling for all members, alongside targeted support for Thompson’s family as they navigate their loss. “We will have to pray for each other. This is not a personal thing, it is a collective experience as a church so we plan to provide grief counselling to the church members, and keep on praying and supporting the victim’s family,” he explained.

Robinson remembered Thompson as a vibrant, kind-hearted woman who was a cornerstone of the church community. “Sister Thompson, the victim, she was a quality lady, somebody that is high-spirited and cooperative, supportive. She gets along well with almost everybody,” he said. He also spoke out sharply against the attack, condemning the brazen disregard for the sanctity of the church that the shooting represents. “It is obviously a loss of fear for God. It shows a spirit of disregard for God and the sanctuary,” he said.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gunman – a single male attacker – fled the scene on foot, moving from Water Lane toward nearby Dome Street. Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, parish police chief, told reporters that law enforcement is fully committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice. “We are very hurt and upset about it and we will not spare any efforts to find who the killers are,” Samuels said. As of Thursday, investigations into the killing remain active, with police yet to announce any arrests or confirm a motive for the attack.

More than a thousand service leaders from across the Caribbean are preparing to gather in Kingston, Jamaica, in spring 2026 for a major regional gathering of one of the world’s largest volunteer service organizations. The 52nd Annual Conference of Rotary District 7020 will kick off on April 27, 2026, hosted at the iconic Jamaica Pegasus hotel, with local financial services firm Marathon Insurance Brokers stepping in as the official sponsor of the event.

Organizers have centered this year’s conference around the unifying theme “Unite for Good”, a framework designed to align regional volunteer efforts around three urgent, high-priority goals. First, the gathering will prioritize equipping communities across the region to build stronger, more adaptive resilience against the growing threat of climate-fueled natural disasters, which have increasingly impacted small island Caribbean nations in recent years. Second, attendees will work to expand and deepen the tangible, positive impact that Rotary service programs deliver to local communities throughout the district. Third, the conference will focus heavily on expanding youth engagement, bringing younger generations into the organization’s volunteer network.

This cross-regional conference will draw participants from a sprawling network of 137 Rotary-affiliated clubs spread across 10 Caribbean nations. In total, 91 traditional Rotary Clubs and 46 Rotaract Clubs, the organization’s youth-focused branch, will send delegates to the Kingston gathering, creating space for cross-border collaboration and idea-sharing between service leaders from different island nations.

Beyond its core priorities, the 2026 conference will also act as a collaborative platform for delegates to advance progress across Rotary’s seven global core areas of focus. These key issue areas include advancing peacebuilding and conflict resolution around the world, expanding access to disease prevention and treatment in underserved communities, driving inclusive local economic development, and improving access to clean water, sanitation, maternal health, and quality education. By bringing regional leaders together around these shared goals, conference organizers hope to strengthen Rotary’s position as a relevant actor for young people, inspire a new wave of volunteer participation, and deliver measurable, long-term good to communities across the Caribbean.