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  • Jamaica leveraging international partnerships in rebuilding effort

    Jamaica leveraging international partnerships in rebuilding effort

    Jamaica is mobilizing international expertise and substantial financial resources to spearhead its monumental recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which inflicted a staggering $8.8 billion in damages. Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, confirmed that architectural and engineering specialists are scheduled to arrive on the island by January to assist with national reconstruction planning and redesign.

    The government is actively pursuing grant funding between $5 million and $20 million from the recently launched $250 million Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD). During a December 18th tour of devastated communities in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, Minister Samuda led FRLD representatives through severely impacted areas including Black River, Parottee, Whitehouse, and Bluefields to demonstrate the catastrophic scale of destruction to homes, public buildings, and critical infrastructure.

    Minister Samuda emphasized the urgent need for transformational changes in Jamaica’s construction approach, stating: ‘We’ve been warning about genuine climate risks for years. Witnessing mangled steel and iron firsthand underscores that we must build fundamentally differently to manage future disaster potentials.’ He noted that despite FRLD support not solving all challenges, the government is pursuing every available funding avenue through the Climate Change Division and Planning Institute of Jamaica, including the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility.

    Executive Director of FRLD, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, expressed profound urgency after witnessing the devastation, confirming the fund’s commitment to supporting both infrastructure rebuilding and human recovery efforts for displaced families. ‘Jamaica isn’t waiting for the world to rebuild, and we’re honored to participate in their solution,’ Diong remarked.

    Local officials including Black River Mayor Richard Solomon acknowledged that while progress has been made, the situation remains overwhelming, with the tour bringing renewed hope that substantial additional support is forthcoming for long-term recovery efforts.

  • Dizneyland fun day to bring Christmas cheer to St Ann

    Dizneyland fun day to bring Christmas cheer to St Ann

    Streets Entertainment is launching the Dizneyland Kids and Teen Festival this Boxing Day, creating a secure and joyful environment for families seeking wholesome Christmas celebrations. The event, scheduled for December 26th at Turtle River Park in St. Ann, Jamaica, will operate from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

    Event organizer Kirkland Kelly explained the motivation behind the festival: “Our observation over time revealed a significant gap in safe recreational spaces for children during the holiday period. This initiative directly addresses that need by delivering entertainment that combines enjoyment with peace of mind for parents.”

    The festival distinguishes itself as Jamaica’s first ride-inclusive family event featuring an all-access pricing model. For a single admission fee of $2,500, children gain unlimited access to numerous attractions while parents can relax in a controlled environment. The program emphasizes stress-free entertainment suitable for all age groups.

    Beyond providing seasonal enjoyment, the event carries a philanthropic mission. A portion of the proceeds will support recovery efforts for communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. This represents an expansion of the organizers’ charitable focus, which traditionally benefited the Mustard Seed community.

    Kelly addressed the broader economic context, noting: “Maintaining a vibrant entertainment sector remains crucial for national recovery. Our industry generates substantial employment and revenue streams that ultimately support reconstruction efforts. While some might question entertainment during challenging times, sustainable economic activity enables us to contribute meaningfully to rebuilding initiatives.”

    The organizers encourage robust public participation, framing attendance as both community support and economic stimulus during Jamaica’s recovery period.

  • Marlie Mount Primary reaches out to schools in St Elizabeth

    Marlie Mount Primary reaches out to schools in St Elizabeth

    In a powerful demonstration of inter-community solidarity, Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School from St Catherine has delivered substantial relief assistance to two educational institutions in St Elizabeth severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa’s late October devastation. The catastrophic weather event that struck on October 28th prompted immediate action from the compassionate school community.

    Principal Calvin Harris revealed to JIS News that the relief initiative extended significantly beyond conventional care packages. The comprehensive donation drive included essential educational materials, school bags, clothing apparel, and footwear. “We prepared 147 individual gifts for Pedro Plains Primary School and an additional 87 for Barbary Hall Primary School,” Harris detailed. “The contribution included two full barrels of shoes alongside separate containers filled with clothing and footwear.”

    The humanitarian effort incorporated vital necessities including hygiene products, staple food items, rice, sugar, canned goods, and drinking water. These supplies were distributed to affected students, educators, and local residents in the hurricane-damaged regions.

    The relief operation was entirely funded through collective contributions from Marlie Mount’s teachers, parents, and students. Harris recounted touching feedback from recipient families: “One parent remarked that Christmas had arrived early for her child, while another expressed gratitude for not needing to purchase gifts this year due to the generous donations.”

    Administrators from the receiving institutions expressed profound appreciation for the cross-parish support. Mariann Chambers-Smith, Principal of Barbary Hall Primary, emphasized the significance of being selected for assistance: “We extend special gratitude to Principal Harris for reaching out to us when he could have chosen any other institutions. This demonstrates remarkable selflessness and proves that geographical distance cannot hinder compassion during times of disaster.”

    Wilton Smith, Principal of Pedro Plains Primary, described the emotional impact on his community: “The atmosphere during distribution was overwhelmingly positive and deeply moving. Our parents and community members endured extreme hardship after Hurricane Melissa, and we remain profoundly grateful for this extraordinary gesture from Principal Harris and his dedicated team.”

  • Inmate awarded $150k for broken leg, faeces ‘bath’

    Inmate awarded $150k for broken leg, faeces ‘bath’

    In a landmark ruling addressing prison conditions, High Court Justice Carol Gobin has delivered a stern condemnation of excessive force used by correctional officers at Trinidad’s Golden Grove Prison. The court found that officers employed unjustifiable brutality against inmate Kurt Christopher Bridgelal during a 2015 incident, resulting in severe physical injuries.

    The judicial determination followed a detailed examination of events occurring on July 4, 2015, during a facility-wide lockdown and search operation. While acknowledging that Bridgelal initiated hostilities by discharging the contents of a slop pail from his cell—some of which struck an officer—Justice Gobin emphasized that the retaliatory measures far exceeded reasonable boundaries. The responding officer engaged in a degrading escalation by throwing three additional pails containing human waste into Bridgelal’s cell.

    Furthermore, the court established that when officers subsequently extracted Bridgelal from his confinement, they employed physical force that dramatically surpassed what was necessary for maintaining institutional security. This confrontation resulted in Bridgelal sustaining multiple serious injuries, including complex fractures to both tibia and fibula bones in his right leg. The injuries necessitated extensive hospital treatment and prolonged immobilization in a cast.

    During July proceedings, the State mounted a defense claiming that any force applied was proportionate and that Bridgelal’s injuries resulted from an accidental fall while resisting officers. Justice Gobin systematically rejected these assertions, finding the State fully liable for its employees’ actions under the principles of institutional responsibility.

    The final judgment orders the State to pay $115,000 in general damages compensating for physical and psychological trauma, plus an additional $35,000 in exemplary damages intended to deter similar conduct in the future. The court also mandated accrued interest payments covering the period from the incident date through December 18.

    Legal representation for Bridgelal was provided by attorneys Amit Mahabir, Bernadette Arneaud, and Joseph Sookoo, who successfully established claims of assault, battery, and negligence against prison authorities. The decision establishes significant precedent regarding acceptable force standards within Trinidad’s correctional system.

  • The Waldlorf-Astoria Hotel rocked and rolled with Jimmy

    The Waldlorf-Astoria Hotel rocked and rolled with Jimmy

    The evening of March 15, 2010 remains etched in the memory of attorney Milton Samuda as a landmark moment in music history. At New York’s prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Jamaican music icon James “Jimmy Cliff” Chambers delivered an unforgettable performance during his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, joining an elite circle of reggae pioneers that until then only included the posthumously honored Bob Marley (1994).

    The glittering ballroom reverberated with energy as the legendary performer masterfully rendered timeless classics including ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want,’ ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ and ‘The Harder They Come.’ Samuda, then serving as Jamaica Chamber of Commerce president and attending as Cliff’s personal guest alongside his brother Christopher, described the musician as “the Emperor of the night, the indisputable sovereign of entertainers as he ruled our hearts and chambers of emotions.”

    The historic ceremony gained additional significance through Cliff’s deeply emotional acceptance speech following introductory remarks by his close friend and fellow musician Wyclef Jean. The 2010 induction class notably included international music giants ABBA, Genesis, The Stooges, and The Hollies, though Cliff’s recognition held particular cultural importance as only the second reggae artiste to receive this honor.

    Established on April 20, 1983, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation continues its tradition of celebrating music’s most influential performers, with Cliff’s induction representing both a personal achievement and a milestone for Caribbean music’s global recognition.

  • Victoria Brown Hanley’s funeral underway

    Victoria Brown Hanley’s funeral underway

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Andrews Memorial United Church in Mandeville became a place of solemn gathering as mourners assembled to honor the memory of Victoria Brown Hanley, the 20-year-old University of the West Indies student whose life ended tragically on October 16.

    The funeral service witnessed a floral-adorned blue casket containing the remains of the young student, whose death has raised numerous questions within the academic community and beyond. Official autopsy results confirmed the cause of death as strangulation, contradicting earlier speculation about the circumstances surrounding her passing.

    According to investigative reports, the sequence of events began in the early hours of October 16 when Brown Hanley was alone in her fourth-floor room at George Alleyne Hall following her roommate’s departure shortly after 1:00 am. The roommate discovered the tragic scene upon returning approximately five hours later, finding Brown Hanley face-down with a scarf tightly wound around her neck. After removing the constricting item, the roommate immediately alerted campus security personnel.

    The Mona Police Post responded promptly to the emergency call, but their confirmation of Brown Hanley’s death marked the beginning of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious circumstances. The Manchester address student’s untimely demise has sparked conversations about campus safety protocols and student welfare measures at educational institutions across Jamaica.

  • Caricom: Regional unity key to facing challenges

    Caricom: Regional unity key to facing challenges

    Caricom Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett has praised member states for their exceptional resilience throughout 2025, a year marked by unprecedented natural disasters and geopolitical turbulence. In her comprehensive year-end address, Barnett highlighted how regional vulnerabilities were exposed by these challenges while simultaneously demonstrating the critical importance of collective action.

    The catastrophic impact of Category-Five Hurricane Melissa created profound devastation across Jamaica and Haiti, resulting in tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. Barnett emphasized that recovery efforts will demand substantial resources and extended timeframes. Concurrently, the region faced significant geopolitical pressures that threatened export revenues, regional stability, and national sovereignty.

    Despite these formidable challenges, Caricom nations mobilized rapidly to address urgent humanitarian needs following the hurricane season while implementing innovative strategies to protect commercial enterprises and livelihoods. Barnett specifically commended four member states—Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—for their pioneering decision to implement full freedom of movement for citizens under the Caricom Single Market and Economy framework, significantly advancing regional economic integration.

    Substantial progress has been achieved in developing a comprehensive Caricom Industrial Policy and Strategy, establishing foundations for enhanced productive capacity, innovation, and economic diversification. Agricultural sectors witnessed production growth through the continued implementation of the 25 by 2025+ strategy, though hurricane damage and climate-related events created severe setbacks for farming communities.

    The cultural sphere flourished with CARIFESTA XV in Barbados celebrating the region’s artistic excellence, while democratic traditions were strengthened through peaceful general elections in seven member states and five associate members.

    Looking forward, Caricom will prioritize examining artificial intelligence implications for business, expanding physical and digital connectivity, strengthening disaster resilience, and enhancing food security programs. Barnett expressed particular gratitude to regional citizens, secretariat staff, international partners, civil society organizations, and the diaspora for their sustained engagement.

    The outcomes from high-level meetings in Barbados and Jamaica demonstrated strategic focus on trade, regional security, foreign policy coordination, reparations, governance, human development, and climate change. Barnett concluded with an invitation for all stakeholders to collectively advance toward a future characterized by resilience, prosperity, and unity.

  • Inmate awarded $150k for broken leg, faeces ‘bath’

    Inmate awarded $150k for broken leg, faeces ‘bath’

    In a landmark ruling addressing correctional facility misconduct, Trinidad’s High Court has condemned prison officers for employing disproportionate violence against an inmate during a 2015 incident at Golden Grove Prison. Justice Carol Gobin delivered a scathing assessment of the officers’ conduct, finding the State liable for assault, battery, and negligence despite acknowledging the inmate’s initial provocation.

    The case centered on events occurring July 4, 2015, during institutional lockdown procedures. Inmate Kurt Christopher Bridgelal, then on remand status, initiated conflict by discarding waste contents from his cell after being denied permission to bathe. When portions struck a prison officer, the situation escalated dramatically as the officer retaliated by hurling three successive pails containing human excrement and urine into Bridgelal’s cell.

    Justice Gobin’s judgment emphasized that while Bridgelal’s actions constituted assault, the officers’ response represented “excessive and unreasonable force” that violated professional standards. The situation further deteriorated when officers extracted Bridgelal from his cell, employing physical restraint tactics that resulted in severe leg fractures requiring extensive medical intervention.

    The State’s defense, claiming injuries resulted from Bridgelal’s attempted escape and subsequent fall, was expressly dismissed as inconsistent with evidence. Medical documentation confirmed fractures to both tibia and fibula bones, necessitating hospital treatment and prolonged immobilization.

    Financial compensation totaling $150,000 TT was awarded, comprising $115,000 in general damages and $35,000 in exemplary damages—the latter specifically addressing the court’s condemnation of the officers’ conduct. Additional interest accrues from the incident date through December 18, 2024.

    Legal representation for Bridgelal was provided by attorneys Amit Mahabir, Bernadette Arneaud, and Joseph Sookoo, who successfully established institutional accountability for correctional staff actions. The ruling reinforces judicial scrutiny over prison conditions and use-of-force protocols within Trinidad’s penal system.

  • UWI professor urges support for rural schools damaged by Melissa

    UWI professor urges support for rural schools damaged by Melissa

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A ray of hope emerges for Chester Castle Basic and Primary School as recovery efforts gain momentum through crucial international assistance. The educational institution, which suffered catastrophic damage when Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, has received vital support from the German Embassy to address its most pressing needs.

    The tropical cyclone’s ferocious winds completely tore off the school’s roof, resulting in extensive water intrusion across all floors. Classrooms were inundated, destroying valuable educational resources including textbooks and teaching materials. The aftermath required comprehensive sanitization with bleach to combat mold and mildew growth, transforming the once vibrant learning environment into a scene of devastation.

    Professor Opal Palmer Adisa, who has adopted the school, facilitated the critical intervention by submitting a formal request for assistance. The German Embassy responded by providing essential funding for roof reconstruction and perimeter fence repairs. Notably, the project included rebuilding safety railings that protect students from the adjacent river, which had been completely destroyed during the storm.

    German Ambassador Jan Hendrik van Thiel recently conducted a site visit, spending several hours observing students demonstrating remarkable resilience through performances of Caribbean Christmas songs and religious scriptures. The children’s voices radiated joy and determination despite the personal tragedies many have endured.

    Professor Palmer Adisa highlighted the ongoing challenges, revealing that approximately 75% of students lost their homes during the disaster. Many remain in temporary shelters or have been relocated to distant areas including Kingston. The school itself continues to operate without electricity and has lost virtually all its resources. One teacher disclosed that even the clothes and shoes she wore were donated items, having lost her own home to the hurricane.

    Ambassador van Thiel commended the students for their exemplary behavior and performances, praising their demonstrated strength and resilience. He also congratulated Principal Patricia Palmer and her staff for their extraordinary efforts in restoring basic operations despite overwhelming obstacles.

    Professor Palmer Adisa contextualized the situation within broader regional challenges: “Chester Castle represents an impoverished rural community, similar to many others that have faced decades of neglect. This pattern extends across multiple parishes and schools. Recent visits to five other institutions in St. Ann and Westmoreland revealed overwhelming needs that require more than sympathy—they demand committed adoption and sustained support.”

    While expressing profound gratitude for the German Embassy’s intervention, Palmer Adisa emphasized that roof repairs represent merely the initial phase of recovery. The school urgently requires furniture, computer laboratory equipment, digital devices, and diverse reading materials to fully restore educational capabilities. She issued a compelling appeal to affluent Jamaicans to consider adopting rural schools like Chester Castle, stating: “Our children demonstrate remarkable resilience, talent, and hope. They now require collective action to ensure they can stand tall and thrive academically.”

  • WATCH: Man’s body found on Manchester haul road

    WATCH: Man’s body found on Manchester haul road

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A grim discovery unfolded early Monday morning in the Brokenhurst area of Manchester, where local authorities recovered the body of an unidentified male exhibiting injuries consistent with fatal gunshot wounds. The victim was located on a secluded haul road, prompting an immediate investigative response from the Manchester police force.

    Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester Police Division, addressed media personnel at the crime scene, revealing that preliminary reports from residents indicated multiple loud explosions were heard around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Despite the auditory evidence of potential violence, law enforcement officials were not notified until the following morning when a civilian passerby chanced upon the deceased individual.

    Investigative units remained actively engaged at the location throughout Monday morning, meticulously examining the vicinity for forensic evidence, potential ballistic materials, and any additional clues that might illuminate the circumstances surrounding the death. The identity of the victim, along with the precise motive and perpetrators behind the apparent homicide, remains undetermined as detectives continue their inquiry into this violent incident.