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标签： Jamaica

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  • PM charts rebuild

    PM charts rebuild

    In a landmark address to Parliament during the 2026/27 Budget Debate, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness unveiled a comprehensive national strategy to confront escalating climate vulnerabilities. The policy pivot, catalyzed by the devastation of last October’s Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, signifies a profound reorientation in how the island nation approaches development, infrastructure, and economic security.

    The centerpiece of this new vision is the planned relocation of critical government facilities and services in the historic coastal town of Black River. Citing the area’s extreme exposure to storm surges and rising sea levels, Holness declared intentions to develop a new, resilient urban center further inland, explicitly designed to withstand future climatic extremes. This move away from the coastline represents a significant acknowledgment of the existential threat posed by a changing climate.

    Beyond physical reconstruction, the Prime Minister outlined sweeping institutional reforms. A new oversight committee will be established to guide the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, ensuring coordinated and effective execution of the massive post-Melissa rebuilding effort. Furthermore, Holness signaled a radical transformation of Jamaica’s skills-training apparatus, aiming to align the national workforce with the demands of a climate-resilient and technologically advanced economy.

    To accelerate this economic transformation, the government will implement a fast-track approval pathway for strategic investment projects deemed vital to national recovery and long-term growth. This multi-faceted announcement frames climate adaptation not merely as a recovery effort, but as a catalyst for comprehensive modernization of Jamaican infrastructure, governance, and economic planning.

  • 19-y-o found dead in Manchester, suicide suspected

    19-y-o found dead in Manchester, suicide suspected

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Authorities in south Manchester have launched a comprehensive investigation into the untimely death of 19-year-old Chevanice Williams, whose body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in the Manningsfield district. The young woman, previously celebrated as a beneficiary of the government’s social housing initiative, was found unresponsive by a family member on Wednesday morning.

    According to official police reports, the discovery occurred approximately at 11:00 am when a relative found Williams in a critical state at their family residence. She was immediately transported to a nearby medical facility, where attending physicians pronounced her deceased upon arrival. Law enforcement officials noted the presence of an unidentified green substance emanating from her mouth, adding a mysterious element to the case.

    Detective units have indicated that their investigation remains ongoing pending the results of a complete autopsy, which is expected to provide crucial evidence regarding the exact cause of death. While preliminary evidence suggests possible suicide, investigators are exploring all possibilities and awaiting forensic confirmation before drawing final conclusions.

    The tragedy strikes a particularly poignant note as Williams had been featured in positive media coverage just one year earlier. In a heartwarming ceremony attended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, she had enthusiastically delivered a vote of thanks after her family received keys to a new three-bedroom home through the government’s social housing program. The contrast between that moment of celebration and her tragic death has left the community in mourning and raised questions about the pressures facing young adults in contemporary society.

  • MFS Capital moves to acquire Century Business Machines in expansion push

    MFS Capital moves to acquire Century Business Machines in expansion push

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant strategic expansion move, MFS Capital Partners Limited has entered into a memorandum of understanding to acquire full ownership of Century Business Machines Limited (CBM), a prominent Jamaican office solutions provider. The agreement, finalized on March 18, establishes the foundational framework for what company leadership describes as a transformative acquisition designed to enhance portfolio diversity and drive revenue growth.

    CEO Dino Hinds announced the development during the company’s fourth annual general meeting, highlighting CBM’s robust market presence and well-established commercial clientele as key strategic assets. “This memorandum signing represents an exciting milestone in our growth trajectory,” Hinds stated, emphasizing the alignment with MFS Capital’s focused strategy of investing in profitable, scalable enterprises with strong market positioning.

    Century Business Machines brings decades of experience as a comprehensive provider of office technology solutions, furniture, and supplies, serving Jamaica’s diverse business sector. The acquisition signals MFS Capital’s intentional diversification beyond its core financial services operations. As a private equity firm traded on the Jamaica Junior Stock Exchange, the company views this transaction as instrumental in fortifying its revenue foundations and expanding its market reach.

    The proposed acquisition remains contingent upon satisfactory due diligence procedures, final negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. MFS Capital has committed to providing shareholders with regular updates in compliance with Jamaica Stock Exchange disclosure regulations as the transaction progresses.

  • NHT incentive targets essential workers

    NHT incentive targets essential workers

    In a significant move to address housing accessibility, the Jamaican government has introduced a tiered mortgage interest reduction program for essential workers. Announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during the 2026/27 Budget Debate, the initiative targets teachers, nurses, firefighters, and security personnel through the National Housing Trust (NHT).

    The groundbreaking policy links financial benefits directly to years of service. Employees with five to ten years of service will receive a one percent interest reduction, while those exceeding ten years qualify for a two percent reduction. This approach rewards long-serving public servants while stimulating housing demand among critical workforce segments.

    Concurrently, the administration is enhancing opportunities for younger demographics. The NHT will now reserve a minimum of twenty percent of scheme units for Jamaicans under thirty-five—doubling the previous allocation. Additionally, prospective homeowners can access advances up to $2 million JMD to facilitate open market purchases.

    Effective July 1, operational changes will further improve accessibility. The Home Improvement Loan waiting period will be reduced from seven to five years, accelerating existing homeowners’ access to funds for maintenance, security upgrades, and green energy installations.

    Prime Minister Holness emphasized that while the NHT already provides zero-interest loans to low-income groups, housing affordability remains constrained by supply limitations rather than financing availability. He cautioned that subsidizing demand without corresponding supply increases historically inflates prices, as witnessed following previous NHT loan limit enhancements.

    The government defended the NHT’s financial stability amid opposition criticism regarding annual $11.4 billion JMD transfers to the national budget. Holness asserted these transfers haven’t impaired the Trust’s lending capacity, highlighting the External Financing Mortgage Program that allows processing through partner institutions while maintaining NHT interest rates.

    Marking its 50th anniversary, the NHT will establish new state parks in Manchester and the Kingston Metropolitan Area, including dedicated senior citizen facilities on King’s House lands. These developments aim to promote community health, wellness, and civic pride, echoing the successful model of Emancipation Park.

  • Mexican president condemns deaths of migrants in US custody

    Mexican president condemns deaths of migrants in US custody

    MEXICO CITY—Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a forceful condemnation regarding the deaths of three Mexican nationals while in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities this year, demanding comprehensive investigations into each case. The statement came in response to the recent death of a 19-year-old, Royer Perez Jimenez, at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has preliminarily classified as a presumed suicide. President Sheinbaum expressed profound dismay, stating, “This can’t be happening,” and emphasized that while initial reports suggest suicide, her government insists on a transparent and thorough probe to ascertain the full circumstances. The fatalities also include a 48-year-old man who died in a California facility in March and a 34-year-old in Georgia in January, both occurring during heightened enforcement actions. The Mexican government declared these recurring incidents “unacceptable” and vowed to employ all available legal and diplomatic mechanisms to protect its citizens’ rights abroad. This development occurs amidst a backdrop of intensifying U.S. immigration enforcement, with ICE reporting at least 30 migrant deaths in detention centers last year—the highest figure since the agency’s establishment in 2003—and former President Donald Trump promising an unprecedented deportation campaign.

  • US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders

    US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders

    A federal jury in California delivered a landmark verdict on Friday, concluding that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk deliberately misled Twitter investors through a series of false statements that artificially depressed the company’s stock value. The decision came in response to a class-action securities lawsuit representing shareholders who sold Twitter stock between May and October 2022, during Musk’s tumultuous $44 billion acquisition attempt.

    The litigation, initiated by plaintiff Giuseppe Pampena, centered on allegations that Musk violated federal securities regulations by making materially misleading claims about Twitter’s bot account prevalence. Evidence presented during trial demonstrated how Musk’s public declaration that the acquisition was “temporarily on hold” pending verification of fake account statistics created artificial market volatility that harmed selling shareholders.

    Jurors determined that Musk’s actions constituted a strategic effort to gain negotiating leverage—either to substantially reduce the purchase price or to abandon the acquisition entirely. This verdict exposes the world’s wealthiest individual to potential damages exceeding $2.6 billion, based on financial calculations submitted during proceedings.

    The legal confrontation reached its climax when Twitter’s management pursued legal action to enforce the original merger agreement, ultimately compelling Musk to complete the acquisition in late 2022. Since finalizing the purchase, Musk has implemented radical transformations—rebranding the platform as X and integrating it with his artificial intelligence venture xAI and aerospace manufacturer SpaceX.

    This ruling represents one of the most significant securities fraud judgments in recent history, establishing substantial legal precedent regarding corporate executives’ communication responsibilities during merger negotiations.

  • Japan’s automotive Disneyland

    Japan’s automotive Disneyland

    In the heart of Tokyo’s Shinonome district lies a revolutionary retail concept that transcends traditional automotive shopping. A PIT AUTOBACS Shinonome, the flagship store of Japan’s renowned AUTOBACS chain, has transformed the conventional auto parts store into an immersive automotive lifestyle destination that caters to both practical needs and enthusiast dreams.

    The AUTOBACS legacy began in 1947 when Toshio Sumino established Suehiro Shokai as an automobile parts wholesaler in Osaka. The brand name itself represents an acronym for Appeal, Unique, Tires, Oil, Batteries, Accessories, Car audio, and Service. The company pioneered Japan’s first one-stop automotive specialty store in 1974, triggering exponential growth that saw the chain expand from a single location to 100 stores within five years. Today, the AUTOBACS Group operates 1,143 stores globally, with 1,012 domestic locations and 131 international outlets across Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and France.

    A PIT AUTOBACS represents the evolution of this retail phenomenon. The three-level facility functions as both service center and automotive paradise. The ground floor operates as a professional pit area where vehicles receive comprehensive services from basic maintenance to performance installations. The second level presents an extensive collection of automotive goods, complemented by a Tsutaya bookstore, car-themed clothing collections, and an integrated Starbucks café where customers can observe technical work via monitor displays.

    The third floor elevates the experience to automotive nirvana, featuring dedicated sections from legendary tuning companies including HKS Gate—a technical partnership that produces exclusive parts for Subaru Levorg and Suzuki Swift Sport models. Enthusiasts can explore products from Blitz, TEIN, NISMO, and test-fit seating from Bride and Recaro. Beyond the main building, the complex includes a dedicated wheel and tire facility, dealership services, and demonstration vehicles showcasing HKS products and technical expertise.

    The property’s parking lot frequently hosts automotive gatherings and events, rivaling Japan’s famous Daikoku Parking Area as a cultural hub. For international visitors and local enthusiasts alike, A PIT AUTOBACS offers the unique opportunity to physically interact with products typically only seen in digital catalogs, creating an experiential retail environment that celebrates automotive culture in its most tangible form.

  • Palace Amusement announces permanent closure of Montego Bay location

    Palace Amusement announces permanent closure of Montego Bay location

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Palace Amusement Company Limited has made the difficult decision to permanently shutter its Multiplex Montego Bay cinema location following irreparable damage sustained during Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The entertainment venue, which had served the community for over two decades, succumbed to extensive mould infestation and structural damage that rendered the facility beyond recovery.

    In an emotional statement released via Instagram, company executives described the heartbreaking process of assessing the devastation. “To our valued patrons of Palace Multiplex serving Montego Bay and environs: It is with a sad and heavy heart that we have come to say goodbye,” the announcement began. The statement detailed how the company struggled to salvage operations but ultimately confronted the reality that the property was completely unsalvageable.

    The Multiplex had been a cornerstone of Montego Bay’s entertainment landscape since its grand opening in December 2001. Palace Amusement described the location as holding “a special place in our hearts,” noting that Montego Bay had become a “second home” for the company throughout its operational history. After months of rigorous evaluation and deliberation, management concluded that reactivating the cinema venue was financially and logistically unfeasible.

    The closure represents a significant loss for the local community and Jamaica’s entertainment sector, marking the end of an era for cinematic experiences in the region. The company expressed profound gratitude to patrons for their unwavering support throughout the cinema’s 24-year history, acknowledging the special bond formed with the Montego Bay community.

  • Uganda’s ‘cricket grannies’ fight lifestyle diseases with sport

    Uganda’s ‘cricket grannies’ fight lifestyle diseases with sport

    In the rural landscapes of eastern Uganda, an extraordinary sporting movement is transforming the lives of elderly women. The so-called ‘cricket grannies’ of Jinja district have embraced an unlikely passion for cricket, turning their weekly gatherings into both physical therapy and social sanctuary.

    Approximately 80 kilometers from Kampala, women aged 50 to 90 assemble weekly at a local playground, their floor-length dresses swishing as they swing cricket bats barefoot. What began as a modest initiative in 2025 with just ten participants from Kivumbuka village has expanded dramatically, now engaging over one hundred grandmothers in regular athletic activity.

    The program originated from cricket coach Aaron Kusasira’s innovative approach to community engagement. Initially focused on children’s coaching, the 26-year-old recognized that elderly caregivers’ unfamiliarity with cricket often prevented youth participation. His solution: involve the grandmothers first, creating a supportive environment for all generations.

    Medical benefits have proven significant for participants. Jennifer Waibi Nanyonga, a 72-year-old grandmother of 29, reports remarkable improvements: ‘My legs used to hurt, but they no longer do. I spent the whole of last year without seeing a doctor for my back, yet it had previously been paining me.’

    The sessions combine jogging, stretching, and cricket fundamentals, creating what Kusasira describes as ‘unintentional exercise’ through friendly competition. This addresses a critical health concern identified by the World Health Organization—physical inactivity among elderly women globally represents a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. Sedentary lifestyles currently cost public health systems approximately $27 billion annually, a figure projected to rise without intervention.

    Beyond physical health, the cricket gatherings provide profound psychological benefits. Participants describe the program as antidote to isolation and depressive thoughts. ‘When at home, you have no company and spend your time buried in your thoughts,’ noted Patriciah, who preferred to give only her first name. The weekly meetings offer catharsis through shared counseling and problem-solving among peers.

    For Coach Kusasira, the program’s success transcends athletic achievement. ‘From the kids to the elders, provided I see the smiles… it’s enough. I know that is a day well spent,’ he reflects, highlighting the intergenerational harmony that has become the program’s most significant accomplishment.

  • TAP THE CAPITAL MARKETS

    TAP THE CAPITAL MARKETS

    Jamaica’s critical infrastructure operators face mounting pressure to revolutionize their funding approaches as climate disasters and global energy instability reveal the inadequacy of traditional financing models. The urgent call for reform emerged during the Office of Utilities Regulation’s 12th annual stakeholder forum in Kingston, where financial and utility leaders debated solutions to the island’s infrastructure financing crisis.

    Jamaica Stock Exchange CEO Livingstone Morrison challenged utility companies to aggressively pursue capital markets through structured instruments including climate bonds, parametric insurance products, and dedicated infrastructure funds. “Capital availability isn’t the constraint—institutional appetite exists,” Morrison asserted. “The missing element is a pipeline of properly governed, investment-ready projects that can attract long-term financing.”

    The proposition encountered resistance from National Water Commission acting President Kevin Kerr, who countered that the fundamental challenge lies in the economics of essential infrastructure. “Water projects don’t deliver immediate returns—they ensure future water security,” Kerr emphasized, noting that such investments frequently fail to align with capital market expectations despite their critical importance.

    The financing debate gains urgency against Jamaica’s recent experience with Hurricane Melissa, which left 77% of Jamaica Public Service customers without electricity and generated a $350 million restoration bill. Unlike the government’s access to pre-arranged disaster funding mechanisms exceeding $600 million, utilities lack equivalent systems, forcing dependence on post-disaster loans and emergency arrangements negotiated under crisis conditions.

    Morrison proposed several market-based solutions including parametric insurance policies that trigger automatic payouts based on predefined storm metrics, alongside expanded use of catastrophe bonds and infrastructure-focused investment vehicles. Jamaica’s existing electricity disaster fund, valued at approximately $50 million, was deemed insufficient given recent storm impacts, highlighting the need for more robust financing structures.

    The JSE CEO identified institutional investors—particularly Jamaica’s pension funds holding over $700 billion in assets—as ideal partners for infrastructure projects seeking stable, long-term returns. This capital market push coincides with Jamaica’s accelerated renewable energy transition targeting 50% generation by 2030, which Morrison directly linked to national resilience objectives.

    The analysis further highlighted how global energy supply disruptions, including Middle East volatility, intensify pressure on import-dependent economies like Jamaica. Morrison specifically advocated for selective undergrounding of electricity networks in critical zones including medical facilities, commercial districts, and tourism corridors, suggesting such capital-intensive projects could be financed through institutional capital rather than short-term rate increases.

    Regulators were urged to strengthen frameworks for resilience financing, including mandates for utilities to maintain comprehensive disaster financing plans and risk-appropriate insurance coverage. “When a single storm can simultaneously disrupt infrastructure, the economy, and the financial system,” Morrison concluded, “pre-arranged financing transitions from theoretical concept to essential strategy.”