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  • Jonielle Smith edges Tina Clayton, Kishane Thompson runs PB in 60m at Gibson

    Jonielle Smith edges Tina Clayton, Kishane Thompson runs PB in 60m at Gibson

    The 49th edition of the Gibson/McCook Relays, held at the National Stadium on Saturday, transformed into a spectacular showcase of athletic excellence, featuring a cascade of broken records and world-leading performances. The event solidified its status as a critical early-season indicator of track and field prowess, with both established stars and emerging talents delivering extraordinary results.

    In a highly anticipated sprint showdown, Jonielle Smith continued her dominance over Jamaican rival Tina Clayton, securing a razor-thin victory in the women’s 60m with a time of 7.07 seconds. Smith, who had previously bested both Clayton twins at a Stockholm indoor meet in January, demonstrated remarkable composure by recovering from a sluggish start to clinch the win on the line. Clayton followed closely at 7.08 seconds, with Levanya Williams earning third place and a personal best of 7.13 seconds.

    The men’s 60m witnessed an explosive performance from Kishane Thompson, who blazed to a lifetime best of 6.46 seconds—the world’s second-fastest time this year—despite a false start interruption. Thompson outpaced Bryan Levell, who also achieved a personal best of 6.47 seconds, while Ackeem Blake claimed third with a season’s best of 6.48 seconds after being reinstated following a disqualification.

    Five meet records were shattered and one was equalled, highlighting the event’s exceptionally competitive nature. A formidable women’s 4x100m quartet comprising Shericka Jackson, Jodean Williams, Tina Clayton, and Jonielle Smith demolished the previous record with a blistering 42.92 seconds, surpassing both the former meet record of 43.05 and the existing world lead of 43.40 set by an Australian squad just a week prior.

    World Indoor Championships bronze medalist Raymond Richards elevated the men’s high jump standard by clearing 2.26m, a season’s best that narrowly exceeded the previous record of 2.25m. In middle-distance action, St Jago High’s Kenyan-born runner Ryan Achau delivered a stunning performance in the Men’s 1500m Open, obliterating the previous record with a personal best of 3:49.73—a significant improvement over his prior benchmark of 3:59.40 set earlier this month.

    Kingston College and Edwin Allen emerged as dominant forces in the high school relays. Kingston College’s Class 1 4x200m team set a new record of 1:23.30, while Wolmer’s Boys’ Class 3 squad also rewrote the record books with 1:30.26 seconds. Edwin Allen High captured five relay titles, including three of the four 4x100m events.

    Additional standout performances included Deandre Watkins matching the meet record in the men’s 400m Open with 45.50 seconds, and UTech’s Shana Kaye Anderson stunning spectators by winning the women’s 400m in a personal best of 51.40 seconds—the fastest outdoor time by a Jamaican woman this year. The men’s 4x100m was won by SprinTech in 38.39 seconds, eclipsing the previous world lead, while Racers TC secured victory in the men’s 4x400m relay anchored by 2023 World Champion Antonio Watson.

  • Foreign Affairs issues Middle East travel advisory amid escalating conflict

    Foreign Affairs issues Middle East travel advisory amid escalating conflict

    The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an urgent travel advisory cautioning its citizens against travel to volatile regions in the Middle East following a significant escalation of military hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Released on February 28, the advisory highlights deteriorating security conditions and the potential for rapid deterioration that could cause immediate travel disruptions including flight cancellations and airspace closures.

    Officials explicitly warned against all travel to Israel, Palestine, and Iran, describing security environments as highly unpredictable. The ministry strongly recommended that Bahamian nationals currently in these areas consider departing via commercial routes if safe to do so, while maintaining close communication with local authorities and airline operators.

    This advisory follows reports from the Associated Press detailing a large-scale offensive by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting Iranian military and government installations. Iranian state media confirmed nationwide strikes, including areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Subsequently, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on social media that Khamenei had been killed, describing it as a pivotal opportunity for Iranian regime change—though Iranian officials have not verified these claims.

    In response to initial attacks, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes toward Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the region. The Bahamas’ advisory further categorizes Syria, Iraq, and Yemen as destinations to ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel,’ while urging heightened caution in Gulf states including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Bahamians in those nations are advised to shelter in place and limit non-essential movement.

    The ministry emphasized the importance of monitoring official government updates, adhering to directives from local authorities, and verifying flight statuses directly with airlines amid the rapidly evolving situation.

  • Malachi Smith is 2026 Jamaica Brew Literary and Film Festival honoree

    Malachi Smith is 2026 Jamaica Brew Literary and Film Festival honoree

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Celebrated dub poet Malachi Smith has been selected as the 2026 honoree for the prestigious Jamaica Brew Literary and Film Festival. The artist accepted the distinction with characteristic humility, describing himself as merely “a messenger” in service of his craft and community.

    “I approach my work with complete dedication, constantly striving for improvement,” Smith remarked. “When recognition or accolades come my way, I simply express gratitude for each occasion.”

    The poet attributes his creative direction to his spiritual heritage, noting that his maternal grandmother, Mamma Lee, traveled across Jamaica as a “warner woman” advocating for transformation, while his father Hambert served as a steadfast preacher. This foundation informs Smith’s current artistic mission: “I pursue my ministry in real time to advocate unapologetically for the oppressed, dispossessed, and disadvantaged worldwide. The cruelty I witness disturbs me profoundly, and I remain committed to speaking truth to power.”

    Dr. Aza Weir Soley, the festival’s 2025 honoree who attended this year’s events, enthusiastically endorsed the selection. “Malachi’s recognition brings me particular joy given his esteemed standing within both Jamaican and diaspora communities,” she noted. “His contributions extend beyond his exceptional poetry and performances to include significant work with civic and charitable organizations in Jamaica and South Florida.”

    Weir Soley further emphasized the festival’s democratic impact on South Florida’s Jamaican diaspora: “It creates meaningful opportunities for Jamaicans across ethnic and class divisions to showcase their talents, amplify their voices, and claim cultural space.”

    While acknowledging the festival’s value as a platform, Smith highlighted ongoing struggles with cultural representation: “My poem ‘My Jamaican Tongue’ addresses this exact issue. Our authentic voices still don’t receive the hearing or showcasing they deserve, forcing many Caribbean writers to abandon their linguistic heritage for international acceptance—a compromise I firmly reject.” He called for strengthened collaboration among Caribbean professionals and writers’ groups to nurture genuine diasporic voices.

    The accomplished poet, whose works have been translated into Mandarin and published in Taiwan, found particular resonance in the festival’s BREW acronym—representing bravery, resilience, excellence, and will. He connected these qualities to Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.

    Through his Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour initiative, Smith led rescheduled visits in December to parishes hardest hit by the hurricane, including St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Alongside team members Judith Falloon Reid and Professor Opal Palmer Adisa, he delivered books, supplies, and poetry sessions to affected schools, with Palmer Adisa and Falloon Reid adopting two basic schools.

    “We witnessed confusion and sadness in community members’ eyes—from infants to high school students,” Smith recounted. “Beyond providing reading materials, coloring books, and groceries, we witnessed collective joy and resilience following our visits. At Mannings High, where buildings sustained severe damage, outdoor sessions captivated fully engaged students and teachers. Godfrey Stewart High generated a celebratory concert atmosphere. Bethlehem College’s principal Albert Corcho described our timing as perfect, thanking us for bringing hope and promising readiness for next year’s visit.”

    Smith is scheduled to return to the Jamaica Brew Festival in 2027.

  • Farmers urged to report cases of praedial larceny

    Farmers urged to report cases of praedial larceny

    Jamaican authorities are implementing an aggressive multi-faceted strategy to combat praedial larceny (agricultural theft) that has already yielded dramatic results, with conviction rates skyrocketing by over 2,000% in recent years. Franklin Witter, State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, revealed these developments during a sensitization session with the Jamaica Constabulary Force in St Catherine.

    The comprehensive approach encompasses five key pillars: enhanced traceability systems, rigorous enforcement and compliance protocols, widespread public education campaigns, strengthened institutional frameworks, and significant legislative reforms. This coordinated effort has produced remarkable outcomes – arrests surged from merely 78 cases in 2023 to 381 in 2025, while convictions exploded from just 9 to 209 during the same period.

    Current statistics indicate 115 documented cases of agricultural crimes year-to-date, with Area 5 (encompassing St Catherine and St Thomas) accounting for 34 incidents. The financial impact has been substantial, with stolen produce valued at approximately $14.5 million. Law enforcement efforts have led to 102 arrests and 36 convictions to date, while recovering stolen goods worth $1.18 million.

    Minister Witter emphasized the critical importance of farmer reporting, noting that underreporting effectively empowers criminals. He encouraged greater community solidarity among agricultural workers, urging them to “be each other’s keepers and supporters” through formal farmer associations.

    The traceability component has been significantly enhanced through multiple systems including standardized receipt books, cattle tagging initiatives, and the Agricultural Business Information System. St Catherine has emerged as the most compliant parish, with farmers purchasing 591 receipt books between April 2025 and January 2026 alone.

    Institutional strengthening includes the establishment of the dedicated Agricultural Protection Branch (APB), which treats praedial larceny as a direct threat to national food security. The APB provides focused attention on both thieves and those who purchase stolen produce.

    Legislative enhancements under the Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, 2023 have substantially increased penalties, with fines up to $3 million and prison sentences of up to three years. The government has broadened the definition of agricultural produce, mandated dealer registration, and expanded receipt book accessibility. Strengthened laws now permit victim impact statements, giving farmers formal representation in court proceedings.

    Ongoing public education efforts include targeted sensitization sessions in hotspot areas to promote registration, traceability, and community awareness about combating agricultural theft.

  • Foreign Affairs ministry urges Jamaicans to avoid travel to Middle East

    Foreign Affairs ministry urges Jamaicans to avoid travel to Middle East

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has issued an urgent travel advisory strongly discouraging all citizens from traveling to Middle Eastern territories following significant military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran this past Saturday.

    The governmental body confirmed it is actively monitoring developing military hostilities throughout the region. Officials have specifically instructed Jamaican nationals currently residing in or visiting Middle Eastern countries to exercise extreme vigilance and prepare to shelter in place as security conditions deteriorate.

    The advisory comes in direct response to coordinated US-Israeli aerial strikes targeting Iranian military assets, which both nations justified as necessary defensive measures against perceived Iranian threats. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory missile volleys targeting both Gulf states housing US military installations and Israeli territories.

    In a previously recorded video statement, former US President Donald Trump explicitly characterized the military operation’s objectives as the comprehensive dismantling of Iran’s military infrastructure and the removal of the political leadership established after the 1979 revolution.

    Jamaican citizens requiring consular assistance or facing emergencies abroad are directed to contact the Ministry’s dedicated crisis response channels at consular@mfaft.gov.jm or the emergency hotline: +1 876 391 8105.

  • Netanyahu says ‘many signs’ Khamenei is dead after Israel, US attack Iran

    Netanyahu says ‘many signs’ Khamenei is dead after Israel, US attack Iran

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a dramatic televised announcement suggesting that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed during a coordinated military operation targeting his compound in Tehran. The alleged strike, which Netanyahu characterized as a “powerful surprise” attack, reportedly destroyed Khamenei’s residential complex in the Iranian capital.

    In his address to the nation, Netanyahu described Khamenei as a “cruel tyrant” who had “spread terror across the world” while oppressing the Iranian people and relentlessly pursuing Israel’s destruction. The Israeli leader asserted that both objectives had been neutralized through the military action, stating: “That plan is no more—and there are many signs that this tyrant is no longer alive.”

    The claims gained additional traction through reports from two major Israeli television networks. Public broadcaster Kan announced via social media that “Ali Khamenei is dead,” while Channel 12 cited anonymous sources making similar claims. Notably, Iranian authorities have yet to confirm or deny these allegations, leaving the supreme leader’s status uncertain.

    Netanyahu further revealed that the operation, which he described as a “decisive” joint effort with the United States, had successfully eliminated high-ranking officials within Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and senior figures involved in the country’s nuclear program. The Israeli prime minister warned that the campaign would continue “as long as necessary,” with plans to strike “thousands of targets” associated with what he termed Iran’s “terror regime” in the coming days.

    The unprecedented nature of these claims, combined with the lack of independent verification from Tehran, creates a highly volatile geopolitical situation. If confirmed, Khamenei’s death would represent the most significant leadership change in Iran since the 1979 revolution, with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international security.

  • Green Island Police Station telephone lines temporarily down

    Green Island Police Station telephone lines temporarily down

    Residents of Hanover, Jamaica, received official notification from the Green Island Police Station regarding a significant service interruption affecting its primary telephone communications. According to a public advisory released on Saturday, the station confirmed that all standard telephone lines are temporarily non-operational due to unforeseen technical difficulties.

    Police authorities have assured the community that restoration teams are actively working to resolve the telecommunications outage and return services to normal capacity at the earliest opportunity. While the exact cause of the disruption remains unspecified, the station emphasized the temporary nature of the situation.

    To maintain essential public communication during this period, the Hanover law enforcement division has instituted an alternative contact protocol. Citizens requiring urgent police assistance or needing to make critical inquiries are directed to utilize the emergency contact number 876-525-7905 until further notice.

    The Green Island Police Station extended formal apologies for any inconveniences resulting from the service disruption and acknowledged public understanding and cooperation while technical resolutions are underway. This transparent communication approach reflects the department’s commitment to maintaining community connectivity despite infrastructure challenges.

  • Dominican Republic to build ‘economic wall’ on border with Haiti

    Dominican Republic to build ‘economic wall’ on border with Haiti

    SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – In a landmark address marking the nation’s 182nd Independence anniversary, President Luis Abinader unveiled a transformative infrastructure initiative: a network of dry ports along the volatile border with Haiti. Declaring it the most ambitious logistics project in regional history, Abinader framed the development as a dual-purpose strategy to bolster national sovereignty and stimulate economic growth.

    The project, fueled by an estimated US$300 million in private investment, will operate under a free trade zone framework. President Abinader characterized this as a strategic state decision designed to enhance development and competitiveness. He positioned the dry ports as an ‘economic wall’—a complementary structure to the recently constructed border wall. This economic barrier aims to revitalize impoverished border provinces, streamline formal trade channels with Haiti, and decisively dismantle pervasive smuggling networks.

    Citing successful precedents in Mexico and the United States, Abinader emphasized that the dry port model has proven effective for centralizing customs operations, normalizing cross-border commerce, and converting peripheral regions into dynamic hubs of development. He further elaborated that true border stability cannot exist amidst widespread informality, asserting that security is achieved not merely through surveillance but via job creation, organized trade, and the generation of tangible economic opportunities.

    Functioning as inland logistics platforms connected to maritime ports via rail or road, dry ports provide comprehensive services including customs clearance, storage, and container transshipment. This system is engineered to alleviate congestion in coastal port areas and efficiently channel goods to inland consumption and production centers.

  • Macron urges diplomacy, says France not involved in US strikes on Iran

    Macron urges diplomacy, says France not involved in US strikes on Iran

    PARIS, France — In a decisive move to address escalating Middle East tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency defence council meeting at the Élysée Palace late Saturday. The session, which followed a trilateral discussion with British and German leaders, centered on de-escalation strategies amid the ongoing conflict between the United States-Israel alliance and Iran.

    President Macron articulated a firm stance favoring diplomatic resolution over military action. ‘France was neither warned of nor involved in the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran,’ he emphasized, noting this position aligned with regional nations and allied countries. The French leader challenged the efficacy of military solutions, stating, ‘Nobody can think that the issues of Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic activities, regional destabilisation efforts can be simply solved with strikes.’

    The defence council meeting occurred hours after Macron’s coordinated call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This diplomatic consultation produced a joint statement from the three NATO members condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations while explicitly distancing themselves from the US-Israeli offensive operations. The unified European position underscores a significant divergence in approach among Western allies regarding Middle East conflict resolution, with France leading calls for restraint and negotiated settlements.

  • UN chief condemns Mideast ‘escalation’ as Security Council to meet

    UN chief condemns Mideast ‘escalation’ as Security Council to meet

    UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a forceful condemnation of military escalation in the Middle East following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, prompting an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Saturday.

    In an official statement, Guterres emphasized that recent attacks—including Iran’s retaliatory measures—severely jeopardize international peace and security. ‘I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,’ he declared ahead of his scheduled address to the Council at 4:00 pm EST (2100 GMT).

    The extraordinary meeting was convened following formal requests from five nations: France, China, Russia, Bahrain, and Colombia, according to diplomatic sources. The Russian mission to the UN characterized the US-Israeli operations as an ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’ against Iran and stated it would demand that both countries ‘immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions.’

    In parallel communications, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi submitted a letter urging the Security Council to take immediate measures against what he termed ‘illegal aggression’ by the US and Israel. Araghchi warned that both nations ‘shall bear full and direct responsibility for all ensuing consequences,’ including potential escalation resulting from their actions.

    The military confrontation escalated sharply when US and Israeli forces conducted strikes citing perceived threats from Iran, which responded with missile volleys directed toward Gulf states hosting US military installations and toward Israeli territory.