分类： society

In a recent development, 14-year-old Kenalya Burton, affectionately known as “Kay Kay,” and her 10-month-old daughter, Keira Burton, who had been reported missing earlier this week, have been successfully located. Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St Elizabeth Police Division, confirmed that the pair were found in Mandeville on Monday. The discovery was made in the company of two other 14-year-old students from Manchester, who had also been reported missing. Following their recovery, Burton and her daughter were handed over to the Santa Cruz police and subsequently released into the care of her guardians. Burton is scheduled to appear in court in St Elizabeth on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The Child Protection & Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has been informed of the incident and is expected to provide further support and oversight.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jesutofunmi Simpson, a clinical psychologist at Bellevue Hospital, is shedding light on the often-ignored workplace stressors that are significantly impacting the mental health of the working-class population. Simpson identifies economic pressures, job dissatisfaction, and micromanagement as primary contributors to employee stress and unhappiness. ‘When your income doesn’t cover your expenses, stress is inevitable. This financial strain, coupled with a lack of fulfillment at work, creates a challenging environment,’ Simpson explained in a recent interview with JIS News. She emphasized that job satisfaction goes beyond workload, highlighting the importance of employees feeling that their work has a meaningful impact. The discussion on mental health was particularly relevant during Mental Health Awareness Week (October 5-12) and Global Mental Health Day (October 10), as Jamaica faces a concerning rise in suicides, with 44 reported cases between January and September 2025. Simpson advocates for building workplace resilience to combat daily stressors. ‘Resilience is about adaptability and bouncing back from challenges. In the workplace, this means navigating difficulties and understanding that recovery is possible,’ she said. To foster resilience, Simpson recommends emotional regulation, stress management, and maintaining a clear boundary between work and personal life. She also encourages employees to engage in hobbies, seek support, and utilize their full breaks. For managers and business owners, she stresses the importance of flexible work arrangements and a collaborative culture to reduce burnout. Burnout, characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, is a severe consequence of chronic workplace stress. Simpson advises individuals to prioritize rest, practice relaxation techniques, and set boundaries. From an organizational perspective, she calls for proactive stress prevention measures, such as fostering a supportive work environment and encouraging employees to stay connected with loved ones.

A 38-year-old man from the United States, Cody Balmer, has admitted to attempting to murder Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro by firebombing his official residence. Balmer entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, acknowledging charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, and related offenses. According to prosecutors, he faces a prison sentence ranging from 25 to 50 years under a plea agreement. The incident occurred in April when Balmer, driven by what he described as ‘hatred’ towards the governor, hurled a Molotov cocktail at Shapiro’s Georgian-style mansion in Harrisburg. At the time, Shapiro was celebrating the first night of Passover with his family. Although no injuries were reported, parts of the residence sustained significant damage. Balmer was captured on surveillance footage scaling a perimeter fence, breaking windows, and igniting gasoline-filled bottles before fleeing the scene. He later surrendered to state police, confessing to the attack. An ex-partner of Balmer had alerted authorities, stating he intended to turn himself in. Shapiro, a prominent Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, expressed relief that no one was harmed during the ordeal.

Jamaica is grappling with a worsening road safety crisis, as the number of traffic fatalities has surged to 312 as of Sunday, marking a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. Dr. Lucien Jones, vice-chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), expressed deep concern, describing the figures as ‘very alarming’ and a source of widespread distress. The upward trend in road deaths has persisted since June, with spikes of 30% in June and 90% in July, followed by a 38% increase in August. Despite a slight drop to 6% above last year’s figures in September, Jones warned that without immediate action, the annual death toll could exceed 400, surpassing last year’s 365 fatalities and nearing the 435 recorded in 2021. Jones attributed the rise in fatalities to reckless driving behaviors, including speeding, lane indiscipline, and driving under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. He emphasized the urgent need to enforce the Road Traffic Act, particularly the demerit points system, which has yet to be effectively implemented. Jones also highlighted the disproportionate impact on motorcyclists, whose fatalities have risen sharply from 40 in 2010 to nearly 150 in 2022/2023. The recent spate of accidents includes a fatal crash on the Ocho Rios bypass and a collision in Manchester involving an unregistered motorcycle. Jones lamented the loss of productive individuals aged 20 to 50, whose deaths not only cause immense grief but also hinder national development. He called for a collective effort to address the crisis, stressing that road safety requires both stricter enforcement and a cultural shift in driving behavior.

Carla Gullotta, a prominent human rights advocate and executive director of Stand Up For Jamaica (SUFJ), has urged the Jamaican police force to embrace recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency and public trust during planned operations. While expressing sympathy for the dangers officers face, Gullotta emphasized the need for accountability to ensure police actions are beyond reproach. Her comments come in response to a recent report by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which revealed that 47 police officers have been charged with criminal offenses, including 13 for murder, between January 2024 and September 2025. The report also highlighted a troubling surge in fatalities during planned police operations, with deaths increasing by 591% since 2021. Gullotta described the trend as alarming, advocating for a shift in policing tactics to minimize loss of life and ensure justice. She stressed the importance of apprehending suspects rather than resorting to fatal force, particularly in cases where innocent individuals may be at risk. Gullotta also endorsed Indecom’s recommendations, such as the use of body-worn cameras and the presence of senior officers during operations, to enhance safety and accountability. She called for improved community policing to bridge the trust gap between law enforcement and residents, emphasizing that addressing Jamaica’s crime and violence crisis requires collective effort. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake defended the force’s actions, asserting that criminality cannot be excused by poverty or neglect. He reiterated the importance of accountability but cautioned that public evaluation of law enforcement must be based on facts, not ideology. Both Gullotta and Blake underscored the need for a balanced approach that upholds justice while ensuring public safety.

A growing number of Americans are increasingly relying on GoFundMe, the world’s premier crowdfunding platform, to help manage the escalating costs of groceries and other essential living expenses, as reported by Fortune on Monday. Tim Cadogan, the CEO of GoFundMe, highlighted a significant shift in the platform’s usage, noting a surge in campaigns aimed at covering everyday necessities like food, a departure from its traditional focus on medical emergencies and unexpected crises. This trend underscores the profound impact of persistent inflation and rising borrowing costs, which are pushing many households, particularly younger and lower-income families, to their financial limits. Despite a recent cooling in headline inflation, the cumulative price hikes for staples such as food and rent continue to strain budgets. Many families have already exhausted conventional coping strategies, such as switching to cheaper brands or relying on credit cards. Cadogan also suggested that this could mark a pivotal moment in generational wealth transfer, especially if values-driven donors redirect their contributions toward addressing fundamental needs like food security.