KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s innovative community-based tourism campaign, “Yaad Luv,” has been honored with the City Nation Place Award for Best Communication Strategy: Tourism. The prestigious accolade was presented in London, England, on November 6, 2025, as announced by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in a recent press release.
标签： Jamaica
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WATCH: Sport minister confident in Reggae Boyz ahead of World Cup qualifier
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, prepare for a pivotal match against Curaçao, Sport Minister Olivia Grange has voiced unwavering confidence in their ability to secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup. The highly anticipated game is scheduled for 8:00 pm on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Kingston, marking a potential turning point in the nation’s sports history.
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Freemasons mark best blood drive in three years
Jamaica’s Freemasons celebrated a remarkable milestone during their third annual National Blood Drive last Saturday, collecting over 65 pints of blood from more than 90 donors. The event, deemed the most successful in its history, also saw the fraternal organization contribute $140,000 to the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank). This generous donation will fund the purchase of an air conditioning unit and standing fans to enhance the facility’s operations. Despite the overwhelming turnout, logistical challenges, including staff shortages, prevented over 15 latecomers from donating after 2:00 pm. Organizers explained that processing these additional donors would have extended the event beyond its scheduled 3:00 pm closure. Workers remained fully engaged from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm without breaks, ensuring the smooth execution of the drive. Those who qualified but were unable to donate were encouraged to return on November 17, 2025, to complete their contributions.
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Haitian gang leader ‘Barbecue’ warns citizens to stay indoors
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Jimmy Chérizier, the notorious leader of the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, has issued a stark warning to residents of Haiti’s capital, urging them to remain indoors as his group prepares to engage in a violent confrontation with law enforcement. Known by his alias “Barbecue,” Chérizier released a video message on Sunday, demanding that the Haitian National Police (PNH) cancel all leave and vacations for officers immediately.
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Fontana Pharmacy sets $10 million goal for Hurricane Melissa fundraising campaign
In response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, Fontana Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Fontana Foundation and Amber FundMe, has initiated a $10 million fundraising campaign. This effort aims to support relief and recovery operations for affected Jamaicans both locally and within the diaspora. Amber FundMe, the crowdfunding platform behind the government’s official donation site, supportjamaica.gov.jm, is facilitating the campaign, which was activated shortly after the hurricane struck. Fontana Pharmacy has pledged to match every dollar donated, up to $5 million, to achieve the total fundraising goal. The Fontana Foundation, a registered charity, has already distributed over 800 care packages containing essential items such as food, water, personal care products, and clothing to families in urgent need. The relief efforts have primarily targeted the severely impacted communities of St James and Westmoreland. Anne Chang, CEO of Fontana Pharmacy, emphasized the organization’s unique ability to deliver aid swiftly and effectively, given its presence in hard-hit areas like Montego Bay and Savanna-la-Mar. Chang also highlighted the importance of collective action, stating, ‘Together, we can help communities recover and rebuild stronger. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.’ Donations can be made through the Amber FundMe campaign page: amberfundme.com/campaign/the-fontana-foundation-hurricane-melissa-relief-fund.
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Big step towards more efficient justice system
The Jamaican judiciary is poised for a significant leap forward with the introduction of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), a digital platform designed to streamline court processes and enhance accessibility. Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, speaking at the contract signing ceremony at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in St Andrew, emphasized the transformative potential of the IECMS for both court users and law enforcement agencies, particularly the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The IECMS will enable police officers to upload and submit case files electronically, eliminating the need for time-consuming travel to court stations. This innovation is expected to free up valuable resources, reduce operational costs, and improve productivity within the JCF. Justice Sykes highlighted the system’s ability to address long-standing inefficiencies, such as the transportation of remand prisoners across vast distances, which currently requires significant manpower and financial expenditure.
Beyond law enforcement, the IECMS promises to benefit the Department of Correctional Services by facilitating remote court appearances for detainees, thereby minimizing security risks and logistical challenges. The system also aims to enhance access to justice for underserved populations, including persons with disabilities, by allowing them to interact with the courts from the comfort of their homes.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Delroy Chuck lauded the initiative, describing the IECMS as a ‘single seamless digital platform’ that will connect every stage of the justice chain, from investigation to correctional management. The system is expected to reduce case delays, improve transparency, and generate substantial cost savings for the public sector.
Patricie Uwase, CEO of Rwanda Corporation, commended Jamaica for adopting the IECMS, a system that has proven successful in Rwanda. She emphasized that the project is not merely about technological advancement but also about visionary leadership and a collective commitment to strengthening justice and governance through digital transformation.
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‘Just like us in ’97’: Former Reggae Boyz inspire Jamaicans ahead of World Cup decider
As Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, prepare for their decisive World Cup qualifier against Curaçao, the nation stands on the brink of history. A victory would mark Jamaica’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998, reigniting memories of their historic qualification nearly three decades ago. Deon Burton, a key figure in that 1997 campaign, expressed confidence in the current squad, drawing parallels to the pressure and pride of his own era. Burton, who scored four goals in five matches during the 1997 qualifiers, was named Jamaica’s Sportsman of the Year and remains a symbol of the nation’s footballing legacy.
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Haitian gangs getting rich off murky market for baby eels
In Haiti, criminal gangs are capitalizing on a highly profitable trade in baby eels, locally known as ‘Zangi,’ which are harvested from the nation’s rivers and estuaries and exported abroad for thousands of dollars. These glass eels, which drift annually from the Sargasso Sea to Haiti’s coastal waters, are in high demand, particularly in Asia, where they are considered a delicacy. This trade is enriching the very gangs that have plunged Haiti into chaos, according to experts.
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Lutan Fyah’s Only Jah Knows get video
Renowned reggae artist Lutan Fyah has unveiled the official music video for his spiritually profound single, ‘Only Jah Knows,’ on November 3, 2025. The release stands as a heartfelt homage to the Jamaican communities ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, blending the artist’s signature conscious lyricism with soulful melodies. Originally featured on the ‘Reggae Vibes’ rhythm by Reggae Vibes Music, the track has resonated deeply with audiences for its timeless exploration of life’s challenges and the unwavering belief that only the Almighty comprehends one’s path. The newly launched video amplifies this message by incorporating real footage of the hurricane’s aftermath, juxtaposing scenes of devastation with moments of recovery. Lutan Fyah’s emotive performance, set against this backdrop, transforms the video into a poignant testament to compassion and resilience. By honoring the indomitable spirit of his people, the artist underscores reggae’s enduring role as a beacon of hope during adversity. The ‘Only Jah Knows’ video is now available for streaming on Lutan Fyah’s official YouTube channel, encouraging viewers to reflect, remember, and draw strength from the belief that all things are guided by Jah.
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Digicel says vandalism on Catherine Hall site delays restoration work
Digicel, a leading communications company, has disclosed that critical batteries were stolen from one of its network sites in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, on Monday, November 17. The incident occurred just days after the site had been repaired as part of ongoing efforts to restore services following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.