Hugh Grant, President and CEO of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), has issued a stark warning about potential increases in electricity bills for Jamaicans as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. Speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday, Grant highlighted the challenges posed by the storm, which is expected to intensify into a hurricane by the weekend.
博客
-
Marathon world record holder Chepngetich gets three-year doping ban
In a significant blow to the world of athletics, Kenyan marathon sensation Ruth Chepngetich has been handed a three-year ban for doping violations, as confirmed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Thursday. The 31-year-old, who holds the women’s marathon world record and boasts multiple prestigious titles, including the 2019 World Marathon Championship and three Chicago Marathon victories, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in March. Her provisional suspension began in July.
-
Soldier hospitalised after being pinned under JDF unit in Mandeville crash
A member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has been hospitalized following a severe vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday morning. According to police reports, the incident took place shortly after 9:00 am when the JDF unit, en route to Mandeville town centre, lost control upon reaching New Green Road. The vehicle veered left, collided with an embankment, and overturned, reportedly trapping the soldier underneath. Emergency responders swiftly transported the injured soldier to Mandeville Regional Hospital, where he remains under medical care. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about road safety and the conditions of military vehicles. This incident highlights the risks faced by military personnel even during routine operations.
-
Former RBDF officer to change plea in US cocaine smuggling case
A former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Chief Petty Officer, Darrin Alexander Roker, is scheduled to change his plea in a high-profile cocaine smuggling case involving alleged corruption among Bahamian government officials. The hearing is set for October 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods in the Southern District of New York. Roker, along with Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and William Simeon, was indicted for their purported roles in facilitating the transportation of large quantities of cocaine from The Bahamas to the United States. Prosecutors claim the defendants abused their official positions to enable the drug trafficking operation. The trio, among several Bahamians named in a federal indictment, were arrested in the US last year. The case arises from a federal investigation that uncovered a network of traffickers moving tons of cocaine into the US since 2021, allegedly with the complicity of corrupt officials. The defendants had previously requested additional time to review evidence and negotiate potential plea agreements.
-
Guyanese man dies following bee attack, another in critical condition
A tragic incident unfolded in the community of Triumph, Guyana, on Wednesday when a 29-year-old contractor, Winston Semple, lost his life after being attacked by a swarm of bees while working on a road construction project. Semple sustained multiple bee stings across his body and collapsed at the scene. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Another worker, 40-year-old Glendon Sampson, was also attacked during the same incident and remains in critical condition. Local residents played a crucial role in swiftly transporting both men to the hospital following the attack. Authorities have announced that a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Semple’s body to determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, multiple agencies are collaborating to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
-
Brazil’s Lula says he will seek a fourth term in 2026 elections
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will celebrate his 80th birthday next week, has officially announced his intention to run for a fourth term in the 2026 presidential elections. The declaration came during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, where Lula is on a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
‘I’m about to turn 80, but I assure you, I have the same vigor I had at 30. I will run for a fourth term in Brazil,’ Lula stated confidently. He emphasized the importance of Indonesia as a strategic partner, describing it as a fellow emerging economic power with shared global perspectives. ‘We’ll see each other many times in the future,’ he told Subianto, hinting at continued collaboration.
Lula’s announcement follows months of speculation about his political ambitions. Despite undergoing emergency surgery in December 2023 to address a brain hemorrhage caused by a fall, the veteran leader appears undeterred. His political journey has been marked by dramatic highs and lows: after serving two terms from 2003 to 2010, he was imprisoned in 2018 on corruption charges, which were later overturned. In 2022, he staged a remarkable comeback, narrowly defeating right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a deeply polarizing election.
Bolsonaro’s subsequent political downfall has left Brazil’s conservative electorate without a clear leader for the 2026 race. Recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for a failed coup attempt following his election loss, Bolsonaro remains under house arrest, with his legal team racing to appeal the verdict. As Brazil navigates this turbulent political landscape, Lula’s candidacy signals a continuation of his enduring influence on the nation’s politics.
-
Messi signs Inter Miami contract extension — MLS
In a significant development for Major League Soccer (MLS), Lionel Messi has officially committed to extending his tenure with Inter Miami. The announcement was made on Thursday through the league’s Spanish-language X account, which declared, ‘Official: Leo Messi will continue to be an MLS player with Inter Miami.’ According to sources familiar with the agreement, the Argentine football icon’s new contract will keep him with the club until the conclusion of the 2028 season. This deal underscores Messi’s pivotal role in elevating the profile of MLS and solidifies Inter Miami’s ambitions to remain a dominant force in the league. Messi’s continued presence is expected to attract global attention, enhance the league’s competitiveness, and inspire a new generation of soccer enthusiasts in the United States.
-
Mavado’s son Dantay Brooks facing assault, weapon charges
Dantay Brooks, the son of renowned dancehall artist Mavado, has once again been embroiled in legal issues. According to reports from Observer Online, Brooks is now confronting charges of unlawful wounding and assault at common law. Police sources indicate that these charges were formally filed on Wednesday. Additionally, Brooks is accused of possessing a prohibited weapon and using it to commit a scheduled offense. The charges are linked to an incident that occurred in July in Cassava Piece, Mavado’s hometown. While specific details of the incident remain undisclosed, it is understood that Brooks is also under investigation for a gun-related offense. This marks the second time Brooks has faced official charges. Earlier this year, in March, his 2021 murder conviction for the 2018 killing of Lorenzo Thomas was overturned by the Court of Appeal, leading to his release. His co-accused, Andre Hinds, was also freed. The recent legal troubles come amidst a family reunion, as Mavado returned to Jamaica last week for the first time in nearly a decade, following the recent vacating of a 2018 arrest warrant for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
-
NBA coach Billups, player Rozier arrested in illegal gambling probes
In a shocking development, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been apprehended in connection with investigations into illegal gambling activities, as reported by US media on Thursday. According to ABC News, Billups, 49, was arrested in relation to an illicit poker operation allegedly linked to the Mafia. Rozier, 31, was detained in a separate but connected betting case. The FBI is set to make an official announcement regarding these arrests in New York later today. Billups, a former NBA star and Hall of Famer, has been coaching the Trail Blazers since 2021, while Rozier, a seasoned player with an 11-year career, is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury. This incident follows the lifetime ban of Toronto Raptors’ Jontay Porter last year for his involvement in a betting scandal. NBA regulations strictly prohibit players from gambling on league games, with violations potentially leading to fines, suspensions, or permanent bans. Billups’ arrest comes three months after former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was charged with hosting illegal poker games at his Los Angeles mansion. Arenas has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
-
Jamaican Ammoya Patrick wins Best Diplomat award at UN conference
Ammoya Patrick, a Jamaican business investor and aspiring diplomat, has made waves in the field of international relations by securing the Most Outstanding Diplomat Award at the Best Diplomats United Nations Simulation Conference held in the United States on October 16, 2025. Representing Barbados, Patrick demonstrated exceptional diplomatic prowess, emerging victorious among 70 competitors from 38 countries. The conference centered on the theme ‘Business for Peace: Entrepreneurship in Post-Conflict Recovery,’ aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16, 8, and 10, which focus on peace, justice, economic growth, and reducing inequality. Patrick’s participation not only honed her diplomatic skills but also deepened her understanding of Caribbean and Caricom dynamics through a Barbadian lens. Despite her Jamaican heritage, Patrick embraced the opportunity to represent Barbados, highlighting the shared historical, cultural, and regional ties between the two nations. A highly driven professional with over a decade of experience in finance and investments, Patrick holds a BSc in International Relations and is pursuing an MSc in Development Studies. Her leadership journey began in school, where she excelled in debates and poetry, and has since evolved into a commitment to service and development. Patrick aspires to serve as a diplomat for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, driven by her belief in the mantra, ‘You become what you believe.’