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In a tragic incident on Wednesday afternoon, three men lost their lives following a police-involved shooting along Mandela Highway in St Catherine, Jamaica. The event reportedly occurred shortly after 12:00 pm, when the men were traveling in a Honda Fit motor car. Authorities have confirmed the fatalities and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While specific details remain scarce, the incident has sparked concerns and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. The community awaits clarity on the events that led to this fatal encounter.

The Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (URGE) Foundation, spearheaded by Ziggy and Orly Marley, is scaling up its home rebuilding initiatives to support Jamaican families displaced by Hurricane Melissa. This expansion builds on a successful collaboration with Michelle Gordon, founder of the BossMom Network and a goodwill ambassador for Food for the Poor. Gordon emphasized the shared mission of reconstructing homes, restoring hope, and empowering single mothers and children across Jamaica. Initially committing $50,000 to the project, the Marleys have since mobilized additional funding from the music industry to address the heightened need post-Melissa. In a recent media release, Gordon announced upcoming initiatives focusing on immediate hurricane relief and long-term financial support for rebuilding efforts. ‘Ziggy and Orly have been steadfast partners,’ Gordon stated. ‘Their renewed support enables us to transition swiftly from relief to restoration, helping mothers move beyond survival to nurturing their children and rebuilding their futures.’ BossMom Builds, in partnership with Food for the Poor Jamaica, has historically provided safe, sustainable housing for vulnerable mothers. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the initiative has pivoted to a $100,000 campaign aimed at repairing damaged homes, furnishing new ones, and restoring livelihoods. Marsha Burrell-Rose, Marketing, Public Relations, and Missions Manager at Food for the Poor, highlighted the power of collaboration: ‘This partnership exemplifies unity, combining faith, purpose, and action to rebuild communities and restore lives across Jamaica. It’s compassion in motion.’ Ziggy Marley echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to love in action. ‘Jamaica is our home, and helping families rebuild after this storm is our shared responsibility,’ he said. Since its inception in 1992, the URGE Foundation has focused on improving lives through education, health, and community development. Its ongoing collaboration with BossMom Builds underscores the transformative impact of compassion and partnership. Gordon is now calling on individuals, corporate partners, and the Jamaican diaspora to join the mission. ‘Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us rebuild homes, restore hope, and keep mothers and children safe,’ she added. Donations can be made directly to Food for the Poor Jamaica, with all funds allocated to BossMom Builds for reconstruction efforts.

The United Kingdom government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to prohibit the resale of event tickets—including concerts, sports matches, and other live performances—at prices exceeding their original face value. This move aims to curb the exploitative practices of ticket touts, who have long profited from inflating prices to the detriment of fans and the entertainment industry. The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes in response to widespread public frustration, particularly over the exorbitant costs of tickets for events like the recent Oasis reunion tour. Business Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that the measures are designed to dismantle the touting model, ensuring fair access to live events for all fans. The Labour government, elected in July 2024, had pledged to prioritize consumer protections in its manifesto. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted the detrimental impact of touts, who often use automated bots to purchase large quantities of tickets and resell them at inflated prices. An investigation by consumer group Which? revealed that tickets for Oasis’s Wembley Stadium show were listed for over £4,000 on platforms like Viagogo. Under the new regulations, resale platforms will face capped service fees, and individuals will be restricted from reselling more tickets than they initially purchased. The government estimates these measures will save fans £112 million annually, reducing the average resale price by £37. While British music icons, including Coldplay and Dua Lipa, have endorsed the legislation, resale platforms like Viagogo and StubHub have criticized the plans, warning they could push fans toward unregulated markets.

In a notable ruling at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, Judge Paula Blake Powell suspended a ganja-related case against a minor due to significant concerns about the teenager’s welfare. The young defendant appeared in court without any family members but was accompanied by an adult co-accused, both facing charges related to ganja offenses. A vigilant police officer, recognizing the minor’s age and lack of guardianship, promptly informed the judge. Further investigation revealed that the teenager’s legal guardians reside in a distant city, and the minor had been staying with an adult sibling. The sibling was summoned to court to represent the teen but, upon arrival, failed to provide basic information such as the minor’s date of birth or their mother’s full name. This raised serious concerns for Judge Blake Powell, who directed the investigating officer to file a care and protection application in the family court. The judge emphasized the need for proof that the child’s welfare was being properly addressed. As a result, the criminal charges against the minor have been temporarily suspended pending further review by the family court. Meanwhile, the adult co-accused pleaded guilty to charges of possession and dealing in ganja and was fined $1,300 and $2,600, respectively.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A stepfather has been mandated to undergo counseling following allegations of physically assaulting his 10-year-old stepchild with a broom. The incident led to a court appearance in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, where the defendant faced Judge Paula Blake Powell. The child’s mother, who shares additional children with the accused, was also present in court. The prosecution alleged that the defendant struck the child with the broom, resulting in a bleeding wound. The defense argued that the injury was minor, but Judge Blake Powell emphasized that neither the defense attorney nor herself were qualified to make medical assessments. She instructed the defense to await the official medical report before drawing conclusions. The court referred the defendant to the family court for counseling focused on anger management and conflict resolution.