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  • Supreme Ventures to celebrate World Vet Day

    Supreme Ventures to celebrate World Vet Day

    This Saturday, as the global community marks World Veterinary Day, Jamaica’s Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) is preparing a full day of public celebration and education at the iconic Caymanas Park, the country’s only professional racetrack. The event is organized in close collaboration with two leading local industry bodies: the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and the Jamaica Equine Veterinary Association (JEVA), and centers on the 2024 official World Veterinary Association (WVA) theme, “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.”

    In an official press statement issued this Wednesday, SVREL outlined that the gathering will bring together practicing veterinarians, horse racing industry stakeholders, and general visitors to shine a spotlight on the underrecognized critical work that veterinary professionals carry out. Beyond treating sick animals, these experts uphold three core pillars of the industry: protecting the welfare of equine athletes, safeguarding broader public health across Jamaica, and preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of the local horse racing sector.

    The day’s schedule is packed with accessible, engaging programming designed to educate the public on the interconnected work of veterinary medicine. Attendees can join informational educational talks, view curated video presentations, and take part in interactive public engagement activities that break down how veterinary care benefits both animal and human populations. Key focus areas for this year’s event include advancing public understanding of equine welfare standards, promoting responsible medication practices in racing, and reinforcing the importance of biosecurity protocols to prevent disease outbreaks.

    Aligned with the WVA’s global theme, organizers will also lead discussions on the One Health approach, a framework that emphasizes how the health of humans, animals, and surrounding ecosystems are inextricably linked. A special segment of the event will be dedicated to highlighting racehorse retirement programs, which underscore the JRC’s long-standing commitment to supporting the health and quality of life of former racehorses long after they leave the track.

    To pay tribute to the decades of contributions that veterinarians have made to Jamaica’s horse racing industry, several races on the day’s official card will be renamed in honor of distinguished local veterinary professionals. Three featured trophy races will anchor the day’s racing schedule: the Jamaica Equine Veterinary Association Trophy, the World Veterinary Day Trophy, and the Jamaica Racing Commission Trophy.

    The entire celebration is open to the general public, and expected attendees include veterinary practitioners from JEVA and the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA), senior JRC officials, and representatives from across Jamaica’s equine and racing sectors. Event organizers are encouraging all patrons to take part in the day’s educational activities to gain a new appreciation for the critical work that happens behind the scenes to keep every race safe, fair, and ethical.

  • Environmental advocates target waste from campaign signs

    Environmental advocates target waste from campaign signs

    As the Bahamas approaches its upcoming general election, the proliferation of plastic political campaign signs across public and private landscapes has spurred environmental advocates to call for urgent reform of long-standing campaign traditions, highlighting the lasting ecological damage caused by disposable election materials.

    Most modern campaign signage is constructed from durable synthetic materials, most commonly polypropylene, a petroleum-based plastic that never fully biodegrades when introduced to natural ecosystems. While the exact composition of signs used by local political parties in this election cycle has not been publicly disclosed, environmental researchers warn that the standard production and disposal practices for these materials carry steep, underdiscussed environmental costs that persist long after voting concludes.

    Dr. Ancilleno Davis, a prominent Bahamian environmental scientist, explained that importing large volumes of single-use materials for a temporary political campaign contributes to unnecessary fossil fuel consumption and generates persistent waste that contaminates local ecosystems. Abandoned signs and their metal support stakes are often left littering landscapes for months after election day, with many turning up in remote natural areas half a year after campaigns end. Even when signs are collected after voting, they are typically deposited in municipal landfills, where their non-biodegradable components leach toxic chemicals into groundwater reserves that supply local communities.

    “It’s a high price to pay for this type of campaigning,” Davis emphasized. Beyond the ecological harm, Davis also criticized the massive sums of campaign money diverted to printed signage, arguing that these funds could deliver far greater long-term benefit to Bahamian communities if redirected to public projects like community green spaces and urban gardens, rather than temporary materials destined for waste.

    To address the issue, Davis proposed a multi-pronged reform framework for political groups: cutting reliance on physical signage in favor of lower-waste outreach channels, including social media campaigns, radio advertising, and targeted community engagement. For campaigns that still choose to use physical signs, he urged strict limits on total signage volume, mandates for biodegradable or fully recyclable materials, and mandatory pre-election planning for post-campaign material disposal that accounts for long-term environmental impacts.

    Nikita Shiel-Rolle, founder and CEO of the Cat Island Conservation Institute, echoed Davis’s concerns, framing the problem of campaign signage waste as a entry point for a broader national conversation about sustainable political campaigning and intentional community engagement. Shiel-Rolle noted that the sheer volume of signs deployed during a typical campaign is often unnecessary, and suggested that formal new regulations could help curb overproduction—for example, rules mandating minimum spacing between individual signs to reduce overall quantity.

    She pointed out that current sign deployment practices lack intentional structure beyond basic name recognition: campaign workers are typically hired simply to put up as many signs as possible, with no planning for post-election removal or processing. For Shiel-Rolle, the most critical gap in current practice is the lack of a clear post-election plan for campaign materials.

    “I think as long as there is a plan as to what they’re going to do with the signs, I think that’s the most important thing,” she said. “I think that kind of goes back to even the bigger environmental conversations that we have.”

  • Bad-behaved students are from privileged homes too, says Morris Dixon

    Bad-behaved students are from privileged homes too, says Morris Dixon

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of a string of high-profile violent incidents involving Jamaican secondary school students that have sparked widespread public outcry and social media debate, Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon is pushing back against a pervasive cultural stereotype that has dominated public conversation: the assumption that students caught engaging in dangerous, sometimes criminal misconduct are overwhelmingly products of broken or socioeconomically disadvantaged households.

    Speaking Wednesday at the regular weekly post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House, Morris Dixon directly challenged this widespread narrative, noting that many of the young people involved in the recent incidents that have dominated headlines actually come from stable, privileged family backgrounds.

    The minister’s comments come amid a sharp spike in public concern over youth violence in Jamaican schools and communities, following three separate serious incidents that have underscored the scale of the growing crisis. Most recently, a male student from Seaforth High was stabbed to death in Morant Bay this week, after a schoolyard dispute spilled off campus and escalated into fatal violence. Three suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the killing.

    Earlier in March, a 17-year-old student at Ocho Rios High School was charged with the murder of 16-year-old classmate Devonie Shearer. According to official police reports from the St Ann’s Bay division, the attack unfolded around 3 p.m. on March 4, when the accused used a metal chair to strike Shearer in the head. The injured teenager was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment, but succumbed to his wounds while receiving care. Witness testimony directly implicated the 17-year-old suspect, who turned himself in to authorities later that same day and was formally charged the following morning in the presence of a parent.

    Most recently, a graphic viral video circulated across social media platforms showing multiple students from Jamaica College, an elite all-boys institution in Kingston, brutally assaulting a fellow student they accused of stealing personal items from peers. Video footage shows the victim pinned by his collar while one attacker repeatedly punches him in the face, and another strikes him multiple times with a leather belt. All students involved in the incident are currently awaiting disciplinary action before the school’s disciplinary committee, and the school’s board has confirmed that the victim in the video admitted to taking items from other students prior to the attack.

    Against this backdrop of escalating violence, Morris Dixon emphasized that the Ministry of Education is prioritizing ongoing efforts to address the root causes of youth misconduct. She noted that schools across the island already invest significant resources into guidance counselling and psychosocial support for students grappling with mental and social challenges.

    Instead of blaming socioeconomic disadvantage, the minister argued that student violence is a reflection of broader cultural norms that permeate Jamaican society. “Our children are really products of the communities that they’re from, the homes that they’re from, and that we’re seeing in our schools a lot of the realities that we’re seeing in our communities,” she explained. “The schools are not distant from the communities within which they are delivering education services.”

    Morris Dixon stressed that harmful conflict resolution patterns visible in schools are directly learned from broader community dynamics, where violence has become a normalized response to disagreement. “This is a problem that is happening across our country and we have to deal with it,” she said. “It is a general problem where we have accepted violence as the way to deal with conflicts.”

    Moving forward, the minister confirmed the ministry will be increasing its focus on the psychosocial underpinnings of youth violence, expanding support systems in schools to help students develop non-violent conflict resolution skills and address underlying mental health challenges that contribute to aggressive behavior.

  • Oil prices rise on uncertain prospects for US-Iran ceasefire

    Oil prices rise on uncertain prospects for US-Iran ceasefire

    LONDON, UK – Global financial markets delivered a fragmented performance on Wednesday, as a last-minute announcement from US President Donald Trump extending a ceasefire with Iran left investors treading carefully while waiting for clarity on whether stalled peace negotiations will restart. Despite the ceasefire extension, the critical Strait of Hormuz – a key chokepoint for 20% of the world’s daily oil transit – remains blocked for Gulf energy shipments, keeping traders on high alert for a sudden resumption of armed hostilities. This uncertainty comes even as major US stock benchmarks have rebounded to hit record highs after erasing all losses triggered by the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February.

    Market analysts broadly note high market expectations that both the Trump administration and Iranian leadership are motivated to end the conflict, which has already sent global oil and natural gas prices soaring and put tangible downward pressure on projected worldwide economic growth. Beyond geopolitical tensions, two key factors have propped up investor confidence in recent weeks: stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings from major corporations, and unwavering market enthusiasm for artificial intelligence innovation. Dozens of leading blue-chip companies have outperformed analyst forecasts, while a spate of multi-billion dollar tech sector acquisitions has reinforced optimism that recent equity gains will be sustained.

    On Wall Street, stocks pushed upward, with large-cap technology shares leading gains that pushed the Nasdaq Composite to a new all-time closing high, while the S&P 500 advanced to within a fraction of a point of its own record peak. “Equity investors seem convinced that the war will soon be over, or that it will have little effect on the US economy, even if energy prices remain relatively elevated,” explained David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation.

    Performance across other major global equity benchmarks was far less upbeat. In Europe, Frankfurt and London stock indexes posted mild losses, while the Paris CAC 40 shed 1% on the day. Asian markets also ended the trading session with a split performance, mirroring the mixed risk sentiment across global trading floors.

    With Hormuz oil shipments still offline, major net energy importing nations in Asia and Europe that rely heavily on Middle East crude are grappling with fresh inflationary pressures stemming from higher energy costs, a shift that threatens to derail already fragile post-pandemic economic growth. “The ceasefire extension hasn’t done much to calm nerves given that worries remain about the impact of the energy squeeze on the global economy,” said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club.

    Reflecting ongoing supply concerns, oil prices jumped sharply on Wednesday: Brent North Sea crude rose more than 3% to climb back above the $100 per barrel threshold, while West Texas Intermediate, the primary US oil benchmark, traded back above $90 per barrel.

    Complicating the fragile ceasefire dynamic, maritime security agencies confirmed that Iranian gunboats carried out an attack on at least one civilian container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, just hours after Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire to give additional time for peace negotiations mediated by Pakistan. Trump confirmed that the existing US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place throughout the mediated dialogue process.

    “There is the inescapable view that, with the US and Iran not looking likely to start direct talks imminently, a resumption of hostilities is a distinct possibility,” said Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at online trading platform IG.

    Away from geopolitics and energy markets, investors are closely watching proceedings on Capitol Hill, where the Senate is holding confirmation hearings for Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to replace outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for declining to cut interest rates more aggressively, and told CNBC on Tuesday that he would be disappointed if Warsh does not move quickly to lower borrowing costs, despite ongoing above-target inflation. During his first confirmation hearing, Warsh pushed back against White House pressure, telling lawmakers he would maintain the Fed’s long-standing independence from political pressure and would not be controlled by the executive branch.

    In a fresh sign of the corporate world’s continued bullish outlook on AI, Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced Tuesday that it has formed a strategic partnership with AI coding startup Cursor, including an option to acquire the firm for $60 billion, marking one of the largest mega-deals centered on artificial intelligence in 2025.

  • Court confirms Neymar corruption acquittal over Barcelona transfer

    Court confirms Neymar corruption acquittal over Barcelona transfer

    In a long-running legal saga surrounding Brazilian soccer star Neymar’s 2013 high-profile transfer to FC Barcelona, Spain’s Supreme Court has issued a final ruling upholding the acquittal of all defendants, including the player himself and two of the Catalan club’s former presidents. The case originated back in 2015, when Brazilian sports investment group DIS launched legal action over the deal, arguing that it had suffered substantial financial harm due to its 40% stake in Neymar’s sporting rights during his early career at Brazil’s Santos FC.

    DIS claimed that key details of the transfer were deliberately hidden from the firm, most notably a 2011 exclusivity agreement between Neymar and Barcelona that was never disclosed to the rights holders. The high-profile first trial wrapped up in 2022, when a lower Spanish court cleared every named defendant of corruption and fraud charges. Alongside Neymar, former Barca presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, Neymar’s parents, Santos FC, the club’s ex-president Odilio Rodrigues Filho, and N&N — the career management company owned by the Neymar family — all received not guilty rulings.

    Unsatisfied with the 2022 outcome, DIS launched an appeal seeking to overturn the acquittal and recover 35 million euros in damages the firm claimed it was wrongfully denied. The Supreme Court’s Wednesday ruling rejected the appeal, concluding that the evidence presented in the case failed to back up the accuser’s claims. “The proven facts have revealed the inconsistency of the accusation,” the court explained in an official statement. “There was neither an offence of corruption in business dealings nor improper fraud, neither by the player, his representatives nor FC Barcelona.”

    The court further noted that the transfer timeline and structure stemmed simply from a strategic sporting decision by Barcelona, which moved to accelerate Neymar’s signing amid intense interest from multiple top rival clubs across Europe. At the time of the transfer, Barcelona publicly stated the total cost of the deal stood at 57.1 million euros, with 40 million euros paid to N&N and 17.1 million euros transferred to Santos. Of the sum paid to the Brazilian club, only 6.8 million euros was passed on to DIS, which formed the basis of its financial claim.

    Notably, prosecutors initially pursued harsh penalties for Neymar, calling for a two-year prison sentence and a 10 million euro fine against the attacker. In an unexpected shift late in the process, however, prosecutors chose to drop all corruption and fraud charges against every defendant in the case. This is not the only legal controversy tied to the 2013 transfer: Neymar also faced separate tax fraud allegations linked to the deal, which were resolved back in 2016 when Barcelona agreed to pay a 5.5 million euro fine to close the case with prosecutors. Now, 11 years after the transfer and nearly a decade after legal action first began, the final ruling from Spain’s highest court brings this high-stakes soccer legal battle to a close.

  • 72-y-o widower starts poultry farm with support from NCB Foundation

    72-y-o widower starts poultry farm with support from NCB Foundation

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — For most people reaching their seventh decade, retirement and slowing down are the expected next steps. But for 72-year-old Clinton Christie, a widower from St Catherine, Jamaica, life is only just beginning a new chapter. After decades of physically grueling work as a plumber to support his six children, age and fading health have forced him to step back from the trade that sustained his family for generations. Now, following the recent loss of his wife to cancer, he is building an entirely new future in poultry farming, driven by one clear, heartfelt goal: to help his youngest daughter finish her education and build her own career as a forensic accountant, and provide stable care for his two grandchildren.

    Christie, who has never shied away from hard work or new challenges, said when reflecting on his transition, “I am not afraid of trying something new.” The path forward was not easy to walk alone, however. To turn his small business dream into reality, he applied for support through the NCB Foundation’s 2025 Grant-a-Wish initiative, a program designed to lift up vulnerable Jamaicans by funding practical, community-focused personal projects. His proposal stood out among more than 45 submissions from across the island, earning him a $100,000 grant to construct a fowl coop and purchase chickens to raise for commercial sale.

    Perrin Gayle, chief executive officer of NCB Foundation, explained the decision to select Christie’s application in an official release shared Wednesday. “Mr Christie submitted a practical proposal with clear potential to support his family over time,” Gayle said. “This initiative is about meeting people where they are and giving them a real opportunity to move forward.”

    At a recent handover event attended by other program beneficiaries and NCB Foundation representatives, Christie shared his story of resilience, gratitude, and hope for what lies ahead. He noted that without the foundation’s support, launching this new venture would have been impossible. “I could not make a fresh start without the help of NCB Foundation,” he said. Today, Christie is hard at work building out his new poultry operation, working toward a sustainable income that will secure his family’s future and help his youngest daughter cross the graduation finish line. “As long as I can help my daughter to finish school, it would be a great improvement,” he shared, a quiet optimism underscoring his life-altering new beginning.

  • Paulwell urges gov’t to stop the ‘PR’ and get on with oil exploration

    Paulwell urges gov’t to stop the ‘PR’ and get on with oil exploration

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a pointed address during Tuesday’s 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in Jamaica’s House of Representatives, opposition energy spokesperson Phillip Paulwell, a former energy minister under the previous People’s National Party (PNP) administration, has publicly challenged the ruling government to set aside empty public relations and force United Oil and Gas to uphold the binding terms of its Jamaican oil exploration licence.

  • Residents of Whitehouse are not being targeted, says Mayor Vernon

    Residents of Whitehouse are not being targeted, says Mayor Vernon

    In a recent community gathering held in the coastal fishing neighborhood of Whitehouse, St James, Jamaica, Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon has openly dismissed widespread rumors that the St James Municipal Corporation is specifically targeting local residents for unauthorised construction enforcement. The meeting brought together local leaders and community members to address a range of pressing local concerns, from public safety and solid waste collection to public health and long-awaited land formalisation efforts.

    Vernon stressed that cease-and-desist orders for unapproved construction have been issued to property owners across hundreds of communities throughout St James over the past 12 months, covering both high-income established neighborhoods and unregulated informal settlements. “There is zero credibility to the claim that we are singling out Whitehouse,” Vernon stated in an official press release published by the municipal corporation on Wednesday. “We have taken action in Bogue Village, Rosevale, Rhyne Park, Westgate Hills, Cornwall Courts and more. This isn’t just for informal developments either — even homeowners in formal communities are served notices when they build extensions, add new structures or make major modifications without securing the required legal approvals.”

    As the parish’s official local planning authority, Vernon explained that upholding construction regulations is a core responsibility of the municipal corporation. All development projects must align with the island’s official approved development order, he noted, adding that structured planning is critical not just for regulatory compliance, but to prevent unauthorised breaches and ensure all developments meet the standards required by Jamaican regulatory agencies.

    When pressed on why the formalisation push for Whitehouse is happening now, Vernon framed the timing as a proactive step aligned with Montego Bay’s ongoing regional growth. “This initiative doesn’t cost residents anything beyond the standard fees associated with securing official land titles,” he said. “The St James Municipal Corporation is partnering with relevant national agencies to make this regularisation process happen, and it’s all for the benefit of Whitehouse’s residents. Getting this done now will allow Whitehouse to integrate smoothly into Montego Bay’s wider development plans for the future.”

    The mayor also firmly rejected speculation that the corporation’s actions in Whitehouse are politically motivated, emphasizing that the entire effort is rooted in protecting residents’ interests. “This is a completely non-political move with one clear goal: to ensure these lands stay in the hands of Whitehouse’s hardworking residents, and that every resident gets an official land title. A title gives you power — it gives you security of tenure that can’t be taken away,” he said. The cease-and-desist notices were only issued to enforce orderly development across the community, he added.

    In the coming weeks, the municipal corporation will partner with Jamaica’s National Land Agency and GeoLand Titling to conduct on-the-ground investigations to verify the legitimate current owners of all parcels in Whitehouse, before completing the legal steps to transfer full property ownership into residents’ names.

    “Over the course of this project, we’ve done extensive research to confirm who the rightful owners are, and we’re ready to move forward with transferring these lands to the current legitimate residents who have built this community,” Vernon told attendees. “Owving your own piece of Jamaica with official legal documentation gives you the power to access financing from banks and carry out future development legally — that’s a game-changer for this community.”

    As Montego Bay continues to experience population and economic growth, the municipal corporation has a duty to ensure all construction follows national building codes and legal requirements, Vernon said. Multiple long-established informal communities across St James, including Norwood, Rose Heights and Barrett Town, have already completed the formalisation process, and Whitehouse is next in line. “Residents have occupied and built this vibrant community here for decades,” he noted. “This effort is all about formalising the area, opening up a clear path for residents to get official building permits for future construction, and we’ve brought on expert partners to support the community every step of the way. We’re here to work with you, not against you.”

    In an update on a high-profile local case, Vernon also announced that a compromise has been reached with the owner of Snappaz, a popular local seafood restaurant operating in an unauthorised building in Whitehouse, following a lengthy court battle. The court had originally ordered the full demolition of the structure and removal of all debris, due to its location posing a potential risk to air traffic at nearby Sangster International Airport.

    Recognizing that the restaurant is a major local employer that supports the Whitehouse community’s local economy, the municipal corporation opened negotiations with owner and operator Milton Russell. Under the agreed compromise, Russell will carry out targeted modifications to the building in the near term that will address the air safety concerns, eliminating the need for full demolition.

    This report was compiled by Trevion Manning, Damion Brown and Mayor Richard Vernon.

  • Liam Rosenior sacked as Chelsea manager — club

    Liam Rosenior sacked as Chelsea manager — club

    LONDON – In a widely anticipated shake-up at one of England’s most storied football clubs, Chelsea has terminated the contract of manager Liam Rosenior just three months into his tenure, following a dismal run of five straight Premier League defeats, the club confirmed in an official statement Wednesday.

    The 41-year-old coach joined Chelsea back in November, stepping away from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg – a club already under the control of Chelsea’s United States-based ownership group. What was framed as a fresh start for both the club and the young manager quickly unraveled this month, as results deteriorated match after match.

    The final blow came on Tuesday, when Chelsea fell to a lopsided 3-0 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion. This latest defeat extended the club’s losing run to five consecutive top-flight matches, a milestone that carries unwanted historical weight: it marks the first time Chelsea have dropped five straight league games without managing a single goal since 1912, more than a century ago.

    As of Rosenior’s departure, the club sits seven points outside the top four positions that qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, with the current campaign still well underway. In its official announcement of the coaching change, the club acknowledged Rosenior’s conduct throughout his short time in charge.

    “Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season,” the statement read. Club officials also emphasized that the decision to part ways was not made hastily, noting that “recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season.”

    To steady the squad ahead of a key upcoming fixture, the club has named Calum McFarlane as interim caretaker manager. McFarlane will make his debut in charge this Sunday, when Chelsea face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium. The club has not yet announced a timeline for naming a permanent replacement for Rosenior, leaving the football world speculating about who will take the reins at the west London side long-term.

  • Two Jamaicans among Commonwealth young leaders honoured as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s centenary

    Two Jamaicans among Commonwealth young leaders honoured as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s centenary

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a milestone recognition for youth leadership across the Commonwealth, two Jamaican change-makers have earned a spot among the 100 outstanding young leaders named in the 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) 100 Young Leaders Awards, the British High Commission in Kingston announced Tuesday.

    The honorees bring vastly different but equally impactful work to the cohort: Nicholas Kee, founder and executive director of Kee Farms Jamaica, who has pioneered regenerative climate solutions that span both ocean and land ecosystems; and Zantaye Thomas, founder and executive director of Sign Clubs of Jamaica, a leading advocate for marginalized deaf communities across the island.

    Kee’s initiatives bridge local fisher communities, regional academic institutions and global industry partners to turn ambitious climate action frameworks into tangible outcomes: sustainable livelihoods for coastal populations, rigorous biodiversity research, and new green investment opportunities that benefit both people and the planet. Beyond his on-the-ground work, he also dedicates time to mentoring the next generation of young leaders, encouraging youth to take charge of climate and tech-focused innovation.

    For her part, Thomas has centered her work on advancing deaf inclusion, cultural recognition, and accessibility across Jamaica. A First-Class Honours graduate of The University of the West Indies Mona campus and a sitting National Youth Parliamentarian, Thomas leverages media outreach and targeted advocacy to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, while motivating young people to lead with authenticity, clear purpose and unwavering passion.

    Established to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the founding patron of the QECT, the awards honor the late monarch’s long-held conviction that young people hold the power to strengthen communities and build a better future for all, the British High Commission statement explained. The 2026 cohort was selected from thousands of applications submitted from every corner of the Commonwealth, with honorees chosen for their impactful work across priority sectors including education and employability, environmental action, food and agriculture, public health, and social inclusion.

    British High Commissioner to Jamaica Alicia Herbert praised the selection of the two Jamaican leaders, noting that their work showcases the creativity, resilience and innate leadership potential of Jamaica’s youth. “We are proud to support initiatives that empower young people to shape their communities and contribute to a stronger future for all,” Herbert added.

    Stephen Ball, Chair of the QECT, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that celebrating these young leaders is a fitting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong commitment to service, community building and expanding opportunity for all. “These 100 young leaders represent the very best of the Commonwealth, and their work is shaping a more inclusive and hopeful future, with empowered young people at its heart,” Ball said.

    In the months ahead, all 100 awardees will take part in tailored professional engagements, targeted capacity-building programs, and global networking events designed to help them scale their work and deepen their positive impact on their communities. Recognition events will also be hosted across the Commonwealth in partnership with local British High Commissions, to celebrate the young leaders’ achievements and strengthen connections between youth-led innovation and the broader global development community.