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  • Holness and Rubio discuss hurricane recovery, ‘shared regional priorities’ – US Embassy

    Holness and Rubio discuss hurricane recovery, ‘shared regional priorities’ – US Embassy

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness conducted a telephone conference with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio this past Saturday. The discussion, confirmed by the US Embassy through an official release, centered on multifaceted bilateral concerns ranging from disaster recovery to regional security coordination.

    The dialogue commenced with Secretary Rubio reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s ongoing reconstruction efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that wrought substantial damage across the island in October 2024. This reaffirmation underscores the continued partnership in post-disaster rehabilitation between the two nations.

    A notable highlight of the exchange involved US recognition of Jamaica’s remarkable achievement in crime reduction throughout 2025. Secretary Rubio explicitly commended Prime Minister Holness for his governance, acknowledging Jamaica’s role as “a strong and reliable regional security partner.” The conversation further addressed mutual security concerns, particularly focusing on combating drug trafficking, illegal firearms proliferation, narco-terrorism, and transnational criminal networks. Both officials emphasized the critical importance of sustained security cooperation to address these challenges effectively.

    This high-level discussion occurred against a complex geopolitical backdrop characterized by rising regional tensions following recent US military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Additionally, the talks took place amidst visa policy developments that saw Jamaica among twelve CARICOM nations—and seventy-five countries globally—facing suspensions in US immigrant visa processing. Notably, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago remained exempt from these latest visa restrictions, creating a differentiated landscape within Caribbean-US relations.

  • US reduces travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 2

    US reduces travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 2

    The United States Government has officially lowered its travel advisory for Jamaica from Level 3 to Level 2, signaling improved conditions two months after Hurricane Melissa devastated the island nation. The Category 5 storm caused extensive damage across western parishes when it struck on October 28, 2025, prompting the previous elevation in travel restrictions.

    In its updated advisory released Saturday, the State Department acknowledged Jamaica’s ongoing recovery efforts while noting that all major airports have resumed commercial operations. The advisory specifically mentioned that areas including Black River and Montego Bay remain in varying stages of reconstruction following the hurricane’s impact.

    The revised guidance maintains cautions regarding violent crime risks throughout Jamaica, though it notes that tourist zones typically experience lower crime rates than other regions. Additionally, the advisory highlights potential limitations in medical services across many parts of the island, recommending that American travelers obtain comprehensive travel insurance and verify coverage details before departure.

    Tourism industry representatives are expected to welcome the advisory adjustment, which follows a similar downgrade last May when the US recognized Jamaica’s improved security situation. That previous reduction cited decreasing violent crime rates since 2024, with the nation recording fewer than 700 homicides in 2025—the lowest figure in four decades.

    Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett previously characterized such advisory improvements as reflecting renewed international confidence in Jamaica’s visitor safety standards. “This symbolizes more than just revised guidelines—it represents trust in Jamaica’s capacity to deliver secure and memorable experiences for global travelers,” Bartlett stated during last year’s advisory change.

    Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake attributed the crime reduction to strategic law enforcement initiatives, noting in his December 25 review that “intelligence-led policing, targeted anti-gang operations, enhanced firearms interception, and officer dedication” produced substantial security improvements.

  • Sea of white as thousands flock Xperience fete

    Sea of white as thousands flock Xperience fete

    San Fernando’s Skinner Park underwent a spectacular transformation on January 17 as thousands of music enthusiasts clad in white converged for Xperience: Equilibrium, the acclaimed cooler fete experience that marked a significant venue transition for this annual carnival celebration.

    The event showcased an impressive roster of over 30 performing artists, highlighted by the iconic King of Soca, Machel Montano. Montano delivered a powerhouse performance featuring his potential Road March contender ‘Encore,’ though it was his collaborative piece ‘Pull d Pin’ with soca stars Lil Natty and Thunda that truly electrified the audience. The musical extravaganza further included stellar appearances from Nadia Batson, Bunji Garlin, Voice, Iwer George, Yung Bredda, Lyrikal, Mical Teja, Patrice Roberts, and Lady Lava.

    Audience engagement reached fever pitch during Full Blown’s rendition of their massive hit ‘Respectfully Yours,’ with the crowd demonstrating unwavering enthusiasm throughout the evening. The entertainment package was enhanced by traditional carnival elements including moko jumbies, an energetic rhythm section, and a vividly painted fire-breathing character (a blue devil adorned in green) that maintained the event’s dynamic atmosphere.

    This year’s relocation from the Brian Lara Cricket Academy to Skinner Park followed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s directive prohibiting carnival events at sporting venues. Sheldon Stephen, Managing Director of Lollabee Group of Companies and event promoter, confirmed to Newsday that the production concluded without incidents or accidents. While acknowledging the successful turnout of both artists and patrons, Stephen remained noncommittal regarding whether Skinner Park would become the event’s permanent home.

    Newsday photographer Innis Francis documented the vibrant spectacle, capturing images of revelers immersed in the soca experience, artists delivering memorable performances, and the sea of white-clad attendees that defined the visual aesthetic of Xperience: Equilibrium.

  • Real Madrid overcome Bernabeu boos to record Arbeloa’s first win

    Real Madrid overcome Bernabeu boos to record Arbeloa’s first win

    In a tense Santiago Bernabeu atmosphere, Real Madrid clinched a crucial 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday, marking a significant rebound for new coach Alvaro Arbeloa following a tumultuous week. The win, fueled by second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asencio, narrowed Madrid’s gap with league leaders Barcelona to just one point ahead of their Sunday fixture against Real Sociedad.

    The match commenced under a cloud of palpable frustration from home supporters, who directed jeers at star players Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham in response to recent disappointments. These included a painful Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, the sudden departure of coach Xabi Alonso, and a midweek Copa del Rey elimination to second-tier Albacete. Notably, Mbappé was spared the whistles despite starting, as he continues managing recovery from a knee sprain.

    Arbeloa, celebrating his 43rd birthday, acknowledged the fans’ right to express their high expectations, stating, “I’ve always respected the Bernabeu; they whistled me a lot too as a player. It’s one of the aspects that make this club so great, how demanding the fans are.” The first half reflected the strained mood, with the team lacking energy and creating few chances against a Levante side languishing in 19th place.

    The second half saw a tactical shift from Arbeloa, introducing substitutes Franco Mastantuono and Arda Güler, which injected much-needed impetus. The breakthrough arrived when Mbappé earned and converted a penalty, notching his 19th league goal this campaign. This goal also marked a personal milestone, being his 50th in just 53 La Liga appearances—a rate marginally slower than the club’s all-time top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved it in 51 games. Asencio later sealed the victory with a precise header from Güler’s corner.

    In parallel La Liga action, Villarreal’s aspirations for a historic title challenge suffered a severe blow with a 2-0 defeat at Real Betis. Goals from Aitor Ruibal and Pablo Fornals in the second half secured the victory for Betis, a result compounded by Santi Comesana’s red card for a reckless challenge on Giovani Lo Celso. The loss leaves Villarreal eight points adrift of Barcelona, significantly damaging their championship ambitions. Betis midfielder Dani Parejo lamented the outcome, suggesting a draw would have been a fairer result, citing his team’s creation of clear chances but lack of finishing precision.

    Meanwhile, Vedat Muriqi delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick for Mallorca in their 3-2 triumph over Athletic Bilbao.

  • Justice Ministry proposes new courthouses for some parishes after Melissa damage

    Justice Ministry proposes new courthouses for some parishes after Melissa damage

    The Jamaican Ministry of Justice has announced plans to develop new courthouse facilities in parishes where judicial infrastructure suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa’s recent path of destruction. Justice Minister Delroy Chuck presented the proposal during a ministerial address before the House of Representatives on Tuesday, highlighting the severe impact on courts in the island’s western regions.

    Minister Chuck confirmed that three parish courthouses in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, and Trelawny sustained either complete or substantial damage during the hurricane. The ministry will collaborate closely with Chief Justice Bryan Sykes and judicial administration teams to identify appropriate locations for replacement facilities. Funding allocations for these reconstruction projects will be formally requested through proper governmental channels.

    The minister simultaneously provided updates on ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, noting that construction of new courthouses in St Thomas, Manchester, and St Catherine parishes is already advancing significantly. These developments form part of a broader initiative to establish a first-class justice system throughout Jamaica.

    Minister Chuck also addressed persistent concerns regarding court infrastructure raised by the judiciary. Jamaica’s judicial system operates 57 courthouses across the island, with most facilities outside the Supreme Court exceeding one century in age. Despite their historical nature, the minister emphasized that many courthouses had undergone substantial improvements before Hurricane Melissa struck. Approximately $764 million Jamaican dollars has been invested in major renovations and enhancements during the past two financial years.

    Notable examples of recently upgraded judicial facilities include the St Catherine Parish Court in Linstead, Manchester Parish Court in Cross Keys, Clarendon Parish Court, Portland Parish Court in Bryan’s Bay, and the St Ann Family Court. Minister Chuck expressed confidence in the current state of these renovated facilities, stating he would “proudly practice in any of the courts across the country” while acknowledging that additional upgrading work remains necessary in many locations throughout Jamaica.

  • Glasner feels ‘abandoned’ by Palace hierarchy

    Glasner feels ‘abandoned’ by Palace hierarchy

    LONDON, United Kingdom — Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner launched a scathing critique against the club’s board following a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday, marking the Eagles’ tenth consecutive winless match. The Austrian manager expressed profound frustration with the leadership’s transfer policy, claiming his squad has been left undermanned and unsupported.

    Glasner, who confirmed his impending departure at season’s end on Friday, faced the latest setback without captain Marc Guehi, who is finalizing a move to Manchester City. This development follows the August sale of playmaker Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and ongoing speculation regarding star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s potential transfer to Juventus before January’s window closes.

    The manager’s tenure reached its zenith last season when he guided Palace to their historic first major trophy by clinching the FA Cup. However, the team’s title defense ended humiliatingly last weekend with elimination by sixth-tier Macclesfield.

    Palace’s performances have noticeably deteriorated in recent weeks, with players appearing physically drained after competing in 34 matches across four competitions this season. Glasner vehemently defended his squad’s effort while directing criticism toward the hierarchy for failing to provide adequate reinforcements.

    “I feel we are being abandoned completely,” Glasner told the BBC post-match. “I can’t blame any player—they’ve given everything for weeks and months. With only 12 or 13 available squad members, we feel absolutely no support.”

    The manager particularly condemned the timing of Guehi’s departure: “Selling our captain one day before a Premier League match shows zero understanding. This was our first full training week since September, and they undermine our preparation completely.”

    Despite the current turmoil, the 51-year-old tactician remains highly regarded, with reported interest from Premier League giants Manchester United and Tottenham for next season.

  • Top-ranked Alcaraz, Sabalenka headline Australian Open day one

    Top-ranked Alcaraz, Sabalenka headline Australian Open day one

    MELBOURNE — The Australian Open 2026 commenced on Sunday with a spectacular lineup of matches featuring top contenders and legendary veterans. World number one Carlos Alcaraz embarks on a historic campaign to complete his career Grand Slam, while defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka seeks redemption after last year’s final defeat.

    Alcaraz, the Spanish sensation who has already claimed titles at the US Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros, aims to become the youngest male player to achieve a career Grand Slam—surpassing his compatriot Rafael Nadal’s record. The 22-year-old expressed unwavering determination, stating, ‘I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here.’ He begins his quest against local hopeful Adam Walton on Rod Laver Arena.

    In the women’s draw, Belarusian powerhouse Sabalenka launches her campaign for a third Melbourne title in four years. Fresh off her victory at the Brisbane International, she faces French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. Sabalenka reflected on her strong season start, noting, ‘I can’t complain about my start of the season. I think I played some great matches there, showed great tennis.’

    The tournament also witnesses the remarkable return of 45-year-old Venus Williams, who becomes the oldest woman ever to compete at the Australian Open. Despite recent struggles and a current ranking of 576, the seven-time Grand Slam champion remains undaunted: ‘I love challenges, so I’m up for the challenge.’ She faces Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in a tough opening match.

    Other notable players include last year’s men’s finalist Alexander Zverev, who begins against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo, and women’s 12th seed Elina Svitolina, both entering the tournament with recent warm-up event victories.

  • Carrick magic dents Man City title bid as Arsenal extend lead

    Carrick magic dents Man City title bid as Arsenal extend lead

    The English Premier League witnessed a significant shift in dynamics this weekend, headlined by a stunning result at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick, commencing his second interim tenure as Manchester United’s manager, masterminded a commanding 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester City. The win, fueled by second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, showcased a revitalized United squad that thoroughly outplayed the reigning champions.

    This outcome proved highly beneficial for Arsenal, who nonetheless failed to capitalize fully. The league leaders were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by a resilient Nottingham Forest, missing a chance to extend their lead at the summit. The Gunners’ attack was stifled despite controlling possession, leaving them with a seven-point advantage over a chastened City.

    Elsewhere, the pressure intensified for Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank. His side suffered a demoralizing 2-1 home defeat to a struggling West Ham United, prompting audible calls for his dismissal from the Spurs faithful. The loss, sealed by a stoppage-time winner from Callum Wilson, leaves Tottenham languishing in 14th place.

    Liverpool also faced disappointment, dropping two critical points in a 1-1 draw with lowly Burnley at Anfield. Despite taking the lead through a Florian Wirtz strike, the Reds conceded a second-half equalizer to Marcus Edwards, a result midfielder Wirtz described as ‘feeling like a defeat.’

    In London, Chelsea secured a confident 2-0 win against Brentford under new manager Liam Rosenior, with goals from João Pedro and Cole Palmer. Sunderland edged Crystal Palace 2-1, while Leeds United secured a vital 1-0 victory over Fulham to bolster their survival hopes.

  • Red Force Divas whipped by Leewards in T20 Blaze

    Red Force Divas whipped by Leewards in T20 Blaze

    The Leeward Islands women’s cricket team extended their undefeated streak in the Cricket West Indies T20 Blaze tournament with a commanding four-wicket victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas on January 17th at Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown, St. Vincent.

    Facing disciplined bowling and exceptional fielding from the Leewards, the TT women struggled significantly with their batting performance. Restricted to a modest total of 74/9 from their allotted 20 overs, the Divas found scoring difficult throughout their innings. Middle-order batter Amelia Khan emerged as the top scorer with 17 runs, while only two other teammates managed to reach double figures.

    The Leewards’ bowling attack demonstrated remarkable precision, led by Davronique Maynard’s impressive figures of 2/12 and captain Amanda Edwards’ contribution of 2/20. Beyond their bowling excellence, the Leewards displayed extraordinary fielding prowess that included two spectacular run-outs and several sharp catches.

    A highlight moment occurred in the seventh over when Rozel Liburd executed a sensational direct hit from her own bowling to dismiss Djenaba Joseph for just five runs. Later in the 15th over, allrounder Jahzara Claxton showcased exceptional fielding awareness with a quick pickup and accurate throw to eliminate Kirbyina Alexander.

    Despite requiring a flawless bowling performance to defend their low total, TT initially showed promise by removing hard-hitting opener Qiana Joseph through a run-out in the very first over. Leg-spinner Brianna Harricharan provided a crucial breakthrough in the fifth over, dismissing Shawnisha Hector with the score at 26.

    The Leewards faced a brief scare when they slipped to 73/6 by the 16th over, but Jahzara Claxton’s unbeaten 12-run cameo, featuring both a four and a six, secured victory with 23 balls remaining. Claxton had earlier survived two close chances, including a dropped catch and a tight stumping appeal.

    This victory marks the Leewards’ third consecutive win in the competition, following previous successes against Jamaica and Guyana. Meanwhile, TT now stands with one win and two losses from three matches and will face Guyana in their next encounter on January 19th.

  • Chamber urges government to state impact of ‘special zones’

    Chamber urges government to state impact of ‘special zones’

    The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has formally requested the government to provide comprehensive details regarding the implementation framework of proposed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO). This appeal follows Attorney General John Jeremie’s introduction of the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill 2026 in the House of Representatives on January 16.

    The groundbreaking legislation, which cleared the Lower House on January 17 and now awaits Senate deliberation, empowers authorities to designate high-crime areas as special zones for combined security operations and community development initiatives. While acknowledging the critical importance of addressing crime for national stability, the business organization expressed particular concern about potential disruptions to commercial activities.

    Corporate leaders emphasized that any extraordinary security measures must be carefully calibrated with clear time limitations and integrated within a broader sustainable strategy. The Chamber’s January 17 statement highlighted specific operational concerns including potential restrictions on movement, modified operating hours, and limited community access that could adversely affect workforce mobility, customer accessibility, supply chain operations, and cash flow management—especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

    The business advocacy group stressed the necessity for transparent protocols, advance notification systems, and continuous stakeholder engagement to minimize operational disruptions. They maintained that such measures are essential for preserving investor confidence, maintaining business continuity, and ensuring that security objectives don’t inadvertently compromise legitimate economic activities.

    This development represents a crucial intersection of national security policy and economic policy, with the business community seeking to balance public safety requirements with operational practicality in the proposed crime-fighting initiative.