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Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to adhere to the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire. The statement followed Hamas’s return of the remains of two deceased hostages, with the group claiming it cannot retrieve additional bodies without specialized equipment. Since the ceasefire began on Monday, Hamas has released 20 living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails. However, tensions remain high as Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that the two bodies returned would be the last for now, citing logistical challenges. Katz’s office emphasized that Israel, in coordination with the US, would resume fighting to achieve a total defeat of Hamas if the agreement is violated. Meanwhile, Israel transferred 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, bringing the total returned to 90, as part of the Trump-mediated deal. The ceasefire has also raised humanitarian concerns, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urging Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for aid delivery. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s sole connection to the world outside Israel, remains closed, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has left Gaza in dire straits, with famine declared by the UN in August. Israel and the US continue to insist that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future governance, adding another layer of complexity to the fragile ceasefire.

WASHINGTON, United States—President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States is evaluating the possibility of launching land-based strikes against Venezuelan cartels, following a series of deadly maritime operations targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that while maritime operations are under control, land strikes are now under consideration. However, he refrained from confirming a New York Times report suggesting he had secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert actions in Venezuela against President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. When questioned about authorizing the CIA to target Maduro, Trump dismissed the inquiry as ‘ridiculous’ to answer. The announcement comes after Trump revealed that a recent strike on suspected drug-carrying boats resulted in the deaths of six ‘narcoterrorists.’ Since the operations began, at least 27 individuals have been killed, raising concerns among experts about the legality of using lethal force in foreign or international waters without prior interception or questioning. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has also expressed concerns, stating that some of the deceased may have been Colombian nationals.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A prominent businessman from St Mary has been formally charged following a controversial incident during the recent general election in the St Mary South Eastern constituency. Leon Campbell, 47, also known as “Poogie,” residing at Addison Close, Gibraltar Housing Scheme, faces allegations of using a computer for malicious communication and obstructing an election officer, violations under the Representation of the People Act. The incident occurred on September 4 at a primary school serving as a polling station.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) has issued a reminder to all candidates who participated in the September 3, 2025, General Election, emphasizing that the deadline for submitting their election expense reports is Wednesday. According to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), candidates or their official agents are legally obligated to file the Return of Election Expenses within six weeks following Election Day. The submission must be made using the prescribed Form 22, and the law caps election spending at a maximum of $15 million per candidate. Additionally, contributors to election campaigns are also mandated to provide their legally required declarations by the same deadline. These documents must be submitted to the returning officer of the respective constituency or directly to the Director of Elections at 43 Duke Street, Kingston, addressed to the Legal Affairs and Compliance Department. Once the submissions are received, the ECJ will compile and publish a summary of the declarations provided by the candidates.

The Donald Trump administration’s decision to impose a staggering $100,000 application fee for employers seeking to hire foreign professionals through the H-1B visa programme has raised significant concerns among immigration experts. Immigration attorney Dayle Blair warns that this move could ‘backfire’ on the US, potentially driving skilled workers to countries like Canada and China, which are actively courting global talent in fields such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, and education. Blair highlighted China’s recent introduction of the K-Visa, a sponsor-free visa category aimed at attracting STEM professionals, as a direct response to the US’s restrictive measures. The K-Visa, launched on October 1, 2025, is part of China’s broader strategy to compete for skilled workers, though details on fees and requirements remain undisclosed. Blair also noted that remote work could offer an alternative for US employers, but concerns over data security and client permissions persist. The H-1B visa, which allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialised fields, has seen a 20-fold fee increase from $5,000 to $100,000, effective September 21, 2025. This sharp rise comes as the US government pushes for companies to hire more local talent. However, Blair and other experts argue that this policy could stifle US innovation and businesses by restricting access to a global talent pool. Smaller companies, in particular, may struggle to afford the new fee, potentially limiting their ability to hire skilled foreign workers. The announcement has already caused widespread concern among employers, with many scrambling to bring employees back to the US before the deadline. Additionally, Jamaicans are being warned to remain vigilant against scams that often arise during periods of immigration uncertainty. Immigration attorney Nadine Atkinson-Flowers urged individuals to rely on credible sources and make informed decisions to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Everald Warmington, Member of Parliament (MP) for St Catherine South Western, has urged the Jamaican Government to assume full responsibility for the maintenance of roads in housing schemes, particularly those constructed four to five decades ago, which are now in a state of severe disrepair. Warmington presented a motion to this effect in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, aiming to establish this as official Government policy if debated and approved.