标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.

Belizean aviation authorities are implementing comprehensive drone regulations to address growing security risks to aircraft operations. The Department of Civil Aviation has initiated a public consultation process for new operational directives that will establish standardized licensing requirements and flight restrictions for both recreational and commercial drone use.

According to Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation, the updated regulations will replace the current fragmented approval system and align Belize’s drone policies with international aviation standards. The primary motivation stems from safety concerns, as aircraft in Belize frequently operate at low altitudes of approximately 500 feet even during transit, creating potential collision risks between manned and unmanned aircraft.

The regulatory changes recognize drones’ importance as essential tools for various industries, including agriculture, surveying, and businesses utilizing Geographic Information Systems for land mapping and crop monitoring. However, the mandatory nature of these rules has raised concerns among drone operators, who face potential penalties for non-compliance.

Operators have scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of the new directive, even as aviation officials emphasize the consultation process aims to incorporate stakeholder feedback. Carter confirmed that authorities are currently gathering input from the drone-operating community before reviewing concerns and meeting with operators to clarify regulatory positions.

The proposed framework would establish clear, mandatory rules governing all drone operations in Belize, standardizing licensing procedures and operational limits while harmonizing national regulations with international standards observed in the United States, Europe, and global aviation authorities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In an innovative approach to literacy advocacy, the Di Cawna Library organization has inaugurated its seventh community facility in Cheshire Village, marking a significant expansion of its unique program that converts discarded refrigerators into functional bookcases. The newly established Di AMO Cawna Library, officially opened on December 11, 2025, features inclusive design elements ensuring accessibility for both able-bodied and differently-abled community members.

The project represents a collaborative effort between international and local supporters, including Friends of Annette Martin Ozaltin (AMO) and the American International School of Kingston (AISK) community. Their combined contributions have transformed repurposed appliances into vibrant educational hubs integrated within neighborhood settings.

Founded on the principle that literacy constitutes a fundamental right rather than a privilege, the initiative directly brings literature to communities by creatively converting once-discarded items into spaces fostering imagination, learning, and opportunity. During the opening ceremony, founder Rachael McDonald emphasized the organization’s core philosophy: ‘Di Cawna Library emerged from the conviction that books must be universally accessible, and that every individual—regardless of age—deserves the chance to read, dream, and develop personally.’

The launch event gathered diverse stakeholders including community residents, parents, students, educators, authors, and national and multilateral partners. Notably, Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams delivered formal remarks and received recognition as the first governmental minister to publicly endorse the Di Cawna Library initiative approximately three years prior. Minister Williams commended the project and expressed aspirations for its replication across additional Jamaican communities.

The Jamaican Government has announced a substantial investment of $100 million JMD to address critical infrastructure needs along the vital roadway connecting Anchovy in St. James to Shettlewood in Hanover. This initiative, operating under the GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, will specifically prioritize the Mount Carey to Montpelier corridor as part of a broader strategy to enhance regional connectivity and stimulate economic activity across western Jamaica.

Scheduled to commence in the third week of January 2024, the rehabilitation work will follow the completion of pipe-laying activities conducted by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the Shettlewood to Anchovy Pipeline Project. This carefully coordinated timeline between the National Works Agency (NWA) and JSIF aims to maximize efficiency, prevent costly rework, and ensure optimal use of public funds.

The comprehensive repairs will target sections severely compromised by surface deterioration, including potholes, edge breaks, and areas damaged by both natural wear and recent excavation activities. Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver significantly improved road safety standards and smoother driving conditions for thousands of daily users, including local residents, public transportation operators, commercial enterprises, and agricultural transporters.

Robert Nesta Morgan, Minister with responsibility for Works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, emphasized the strategic importance of this infrastructure investment. He noted that the corridor serves as a crucial economic link between Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland and Montego Bay in St. James, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across the western region.

This targeted rehabilitation effort forms part of the expanded GO Road Rehabilitation Programme, which now totals $1.7 billion JMD and began with initial works in Kingston and St. Andrew in December. The government’s approach demonstrates a commitment to practical infrastructure improvements through coordinated planning and execution, ensuring that rehabilitation work meets required standards and delivers lasting benefits to communities.

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Law enforcement authorities are conducting intensive interrogations of a private security operative following a late-night shooting incident at a bar near the Mandeville market. The investigation centers on the guard’s use of his legally registered firearm during a physical confrontation that erupted Tuesday evening.

According to preliminary police reports, the violent encounter occurred approximately after 9:00 pm along Manchester Road, adjacent to the market’s side entrance. Initial findings indicate an escalating dispute between the security guard and another individual within the establishment culminated in the drawing of a knife.

Official statements confirm that the security personnel responded to the perceived threat by discharging his weapon, striking the alleged aggressor. The wounded man was subsequently transported to a medical facility where he remains hospitalized receiving treatment for his injuries.

Criminal investigators continue to piece together the precise sequence of events, examining witness testimonies and forensic evidence to determine whether the firearm discharge constituted justified self-defense or excessive force. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding security protocols in public spaces and the appropriate use of lethal force by licensed weapon holders.

A fatal encounter between law enforcement and a local music figure in St Elizabeth has resulted in the year’s fourteenth police-involved shooting death. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has officially identified the deceased as 44-year-old Leighton Nembhard, also known by the alias “Bigga Don,” a sound system selector from the Peacock Heights community in Black River.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the Hodges district near Black River, where authorities report an armed confrontation occurred between Nembhard and police personnel. The situation escalated sufficiently to require additional support from multiple units across the St Elizabeth police division, indicating a significant standoff between the suspect and security forces.

Following the altercation, law enforcement officials confirmed the seizure of a Browning 9mm pistol containing a magazine loaded with two live rounds of ammunition. The recovery of the weapon suggests armed resistance during the encounter, though full details of the exchange remain under official investigation.

This event marks a concerning continuation of deadly confrontations between Jamaican citizens and security forces, with official statistics now recording fourteen such fatalities since the beginning of the current calendar year. The pattern of violence raises ongoing questions about conflict resolution and armed engagements in community policing operations.

The re-election of President Donald Trump has precipitated a significant shift in daily behaviors and social patterns among Jamaican immigrants across the United States. Following his January 2025 inauguration after defeating Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the administration has intensified border control measures and immigration enforcement, creating an environment of heightened anxiety within immigrant communities.

Immigration advocates report profound behavioral adaptations among Jamaicans regardless of legal status. Many now avoid public gatherings, religious services, and cultural events due to fears of encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Some residents have adopted the practice of carrying passports during routine activities, while others have significantly reduced participation in traditional social activities, including nighttime gatherings and cultural celebrations.

Irwine Clare of Caribbean Immigrant Services in Queens described a new reality where ICE vehicles deliberately patrol areas with high Jamaican concentration, including White Plains Road, creating an atmosphere of intimidation. This psychological impact has extended to travel patterns, with many Jamaican immigrants avoiding international travel due to concerns about re-entry challenges under expanded enforcement protocols.

The Laken Riley Act, passed shortly after Trump’s inauguration, has substantially broadened detention criteria for non-citizens to include misdemeanor offenses such as shoplifting and burglary. This legislative change has created additional vulnerabilities for green card holders and those with pending citizenship applications.

Economic repercussions are emerging within immigrant-dominated sectors, particularly New York’s food and restaurant industries. Business owners report increased caution about hiring practices, while workers experience heightened anxiety about informal employment arrangements. Community organizations have even suspended public forums about status regularization due to safety concerns, with advocates describing such gatherings as potentially leading ‘lambs to the slaughter.’

Despite these challenges, community leaders emphasize adaptation rather than confrontation. Dr. Rupert Francis, chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force, advocates for collaboration with government institutions while acknowledging the need to balance compliance with advocacy for more humane policies. The current climate represents a fundamental transformation in how immigrant communities navigate daily life under strengthened enforcement regimes.