标签: Jamaica

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  • Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela

    Hundreds of flights cancelled across the Caribbean amid US attack on Venezuela

    NEW YORK, United States — A significant aviation crisis is unfolding across the Caribbean region, with travel disruptions projected to persist for several days. This follows a decisive US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, prompting immediate airspace closures and mass flight cancellations by major US carriers.

    Aviation tracking data from FlightRadar24.com, as reported by ABC7 New York, revealed a complete absence of commercial air traffic over Venezuelan airspace on Saturday. The disruption originated from an official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive advising all commercial airlines to avoid a substantial portion of Caribbean airspace. The agency cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ and specifically identified ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity’ as the primary reason for the unprecedented closure.

    The cascading effects have severely impacted connectivity to numerous island nations in proximity to Venezuela. Key destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Aruba are experiencing widespread cancellations. In response to the chaos, airlines have proactively implemented flexible travel policies, universally waiving change fees for passengers needing to reschedule their itineraries throughout the weekend and into the coming week.

    Puerto Rico’s primary international airport faced specific temporary airspace restrictions, compounding the logistical challenges. Among the carriers, JetBlue announced the most significant cuts, canceling 215 flights within its extensive Caribbean network, though it noted services to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic continued unimpeded.

    Other major airlines, including United and Southwest, executed substantial schedule adjustments. Southwest Airlines cancelled all flights to Aruba on Saturday and suspended all operations to Puerto Rico until late afternoon, while maintaining its schedule to the Dominican Republic. American Airlines published a comprehensive waiver policy covering travel to and from approximately twenty island destinations, such as Anguilla, Antigua, Curaçao, and Saint Lucia. Similarly, Delta Air Lines issued a travel waiver for customers traveling through 13 affected airports, with provisions valid through Tuesday.

  • JTA to conduct assessment of schools over the weekend

    JTA to conduct assessment of schools over the weekend

    Jamaica’s educational system faces a pivotal moment as the new academic term approaches, prompting the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) to initiate comprehensive facility assessments across the island nation. The unprecedented evaluation comes in response to the devastating aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa that struck in October, particularly affecting western and southwestern regions.

    JTA President Mark Malabver, speaking at the reopening of the association’s western Jamaica office, revealed the organization’s plan to conduct ground-level verification of school preparedness throughout the weekend. The initiative aims to determine actual operational capabilities rather than theoretical readiness, acknowledging that many educational institutions sustained substantial damage during the catastrophic weather event.

    Malabver articulated profound concerns regarding the practical realities of resuming classes, emphasizing that reopening decisions must consider both infrastructure limitations and human factors. The teachers’ union maintains that each institution requires individualized assessment based on localized conditions rather than blanket policies.

    Beyond structural considerations, the JTA president highlighted concerning student welfare issues, noting parallels to pandemic-era attendance challenges. He called for systematic tracking of missing students through mandated guidance counselor interventions, recognizing that many children face hurricane-related trauma and displacement.

    The human impact extends beyond students, as Malabver acknowledged widespread psychological distress among educators. Many teachers continue experiencing personal hardships that affect their professional capacity, necessitating compassionate, case-by-case consideration from school administrators and boards.

    This multifaceted approach reflects the complex intersection of infrastructure recovery, mental health considerations, and educational continuity in post-disaster scenarios, positioning the teachers’ association as both advocate and practical partner in Jamaica’s educational rehabilitation.

  • Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after abduction

    Venezuela’s Maduro arrives in US after abduction

    In an unprecedented military operation, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was apprehended by United States forces in Caracas and transported to American soil on Saturday evening. The leftist leader arrived under heavy FBI escort at a National Guard facility in Newburgh, New York, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing political conflict between the two nations.

    Eyewitnesses reported observing Maduro surrounded by federal agents as he disembarked from a US government aircraft. The Venezuelan president was subsequently escorted across the tarmac under tight security, with plans underway for his transfer via helicopter to New York City where he faces serious narcotics trafficking indictments.

    The capture operation involved a targeted bombing raid in the Venezuelan capital that successfully extracted both Maduro and his wife from the country. This military action represents one of the most significant interventions in recent Western Hemisphere relations.

    Concurrent with the operation, US President Donald Trump addressed journalists from his Florida residence, announcing plans for temporary American administration of Venezuela. The administration intends to manage the country’s transition while accessing its substantial petroleum reserves during this interim period.

    “Our administration will oversee national operations until we can facilitate a secure, appropriate, and lawful transition of power,” Trump stated, underscoring the temporary nature of the extraordinary measure. This development signals a new chapter in the complex diplomatic relationship between the United States and Venezuela, with potential ramifications for regional stability and international law.

  • Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    Rubio ‘anticipates no further action in Venezuela’ with Maduro’s capture

    WASHINGTON, United States — A significant development in U.S.-Venezuela relations has unfolded with the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. military personnel. According to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation, indicating Maduro will face trial in the United States on criminal charges.

    Senator Lee disclosed on social media platform X that he received direct confirmation from Rubio, who characterized the military action as necessary to protect personnel executing an arrest warrant. Lee suggested the operation might fall under the president’s constitutional authority under Article II to respond to actual or imminent threats against U.S. personnel.

    The operation received presidential endorsement from Donald Trump, who described it as “brilliant” in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” in a joint operation conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”

    However, the military action has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, condemned the operation as “illegal” and “the second unjustified war in my lifetime,” expressing concerns about its constitutional basis.

    The controversy emerges amid broader apprehension among legislators regarding Trump’s escalating military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat narco-trafficking. Administration officials report over 125 casualties in maritime operations targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels since early September.

    Vermont Senator Peter Welch has emphasized congressional concerns about these deployments, urging greater transparency and accountability under the War Powers Act. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for more congressional oversight before any further military actions are authorized.

  • Kintyre and Miracle talk up growth opportunities after ‘Bold’ partnership

    Kintyre and Miracle talk up growth opportunities after ‘Bold’ partnership

    In a strategic move set to reshape Jamaica’s consumer goods landscape, Kintyre Holdings (JA) Limited and Miracle Corporation have officially launched a powerful joint venture named BOLD (Brands of Loyalty Dividends). This new entity, majority-controlled by Kintyre with a 70% ownership stake, consolidates an extensive portfolio of established brands spanning automotive lubricants, car care products, food-service disposables, and daily essential items.

    Tyrone Wilson, President and CEO of Kintyre Holdings, characterized the partnership as a transformative initiative that will enhance consumer access to premium, reliable brands while creating substantial growth opportunities within the local market. “This bold initiative positions us as a major player in manufacturing, distribution, and consumer goods,” Wilson stated in a video announcement. “We are tremendously excited about Kintyre’s trajectory—which is unequivocally toward the top.”

    Richard Anthony Lee, CEO of Miracle Corporation, emphasized the deliberate nature of the alliance, highlighting his company’s evolution since 1973 across distribution, automotive, food service, and tourism sectors. “Partnering with Kintyre was a strategic decision rooted in long-term value creation,” Lee remarked.

    The venture is anticipated to generate immediate revenue and profitability, leveraging products already entrenched in the Jamaican market. Proceeds from BOLD will contribute to a newly established dividend program, details of which Kintyre plans to disclose in the near future.

  • China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    China ‘strongly condemns’ US strikes on Venezuela

    BEIJING — The Chinese government issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday against United States military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China characterized the American actions as a flagrant violation of international legal standards and an infringement upon Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

    The statement expressed profound shock at what it termed ‘hegemonic behavior’ by the United States, warning that such military aggression threatens regional stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese officials emphasized their firm opposition to unilateral military interventions against sovereign states, regardless of the circumstances.

    The development comes amid dramatic scenes in both Venezuela and abroad. In Caracas, supporters of President Maduro gathered in the streets following news of his capture by US forces. Simultaneously, Venezuelan expatriates in Madrid celebrated the military operation that targeted Maduro’s government.

    President Donald Trump confirmed on January 3, 2026, that American forces had successfully captured Maduro following extensive airstrikes on Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. This military action represents the culmination of a prolonged geopolitical confrontation between the Trump administration and the Venezuelan leadership.

    China’s statement reflects growing international concern over the precedent set by military intervention in sovereign nations and highlights the deepening diplomatic divisions between global powers regarding appropriate responses to political crises.

  • France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    PARIS, France — The French government issued a stern condemnation on Saturday regarding the United States-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing it as a violation of fundamental international legal principles. Concurrently, Russia demanded the immediate release of the detained Venezuelan leader and his wife.

    French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot articulated the nation’s position through a formal statement on social media platform X, acknowledging Maduro’s record of human rights violations against Venezuelan citizens while simultaneously condemning the American intervention. Minister Barrot emphasized that the operation “contravenes the principle of non-use of force, which serves as a cornerstone of international law.”

    The French diplomatic statement further cautioned that escalating violations of this fundamental principle by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council would inevitably yield “serious consequences for global security, sparing no nation.” Barrot underscored that sustainable political resolutions cannot be externally imposed, reflecting France’s commitment to diplomatic norms and multilateral governance structures.

    Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued multiple statements expressing profound alarm over the development, characterizing the American operation as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.” Russian officials dismissed Washington’s justifications for the intervention as “untenable,” asserting that “ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism” in American foreign policy decision-making.

    The Kremlin demanded immediate clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s apprehension and called for the unconditional release of both the Venezuelan president and his spouse. Russia, which had reaffirmed its support for Maduro following his controversial re-election in 2024 and remains Venezuela’s principal strategic ally in South America, stopped short of explicitly committing military assistance to Caracas in potential confrontations with the United States.

    The coordinated responses from both European and Russian diplomatic channels highlight growing international concern over unilateral military actions and their implications for global security architecture. The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis that has drawn in major world powers with competing geopolitical interests.

  • US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a significant airspace advisory on Saturday, directing commercial carriers to avoid portions of Caribbean airspace. The directive cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ linked to U.S. military operations, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    The aviation alert specifically warned of ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity,’ effectively creating a no-fly zone for commercial aviation in the specified region. This precautionary measure underscores the scale and sensitivity of the military action undertaken.

    U.S. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful capture of the Venezuelan leader, describing it as the result of a ‘large-scale strike’ conducted on Venezuelan territory. This decisive military intervention represents a dramatic escalation in a prolonged campaign of pressure against Maduro’s government.

    The operation follows an extensive period where the U.S. applied intensifying economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation tactics targeting Maduro’s socialist regime and its oil-dependent economy. Notably, this military action occurred just 48 hours after Maduro had extended an overture to the Trump administration, proposing bilateral cooperation on critical issues such as narcotics trafficking and illegal migration control.

  • Chronic Law rules YouTube… again

    Chronic Law rules YouTube… again

    For the second consecutive year, Jamaican dancehall sensation Chronic Law has decisively secured his position as YouTube’s most-viewed artist, accumulating a staggering 154 million views throughout 2025. According to official platform statistics, Chronic Law’s viewership nearly doubled that of his closest competitor, incarcerated artist Vybz Kartel, who maintained the second position with 85.7 million views.

    The YouTube Music Charts, which remain the primary streaming platform for many Jamaican audiences, revealed the complete rankings for the period spanning December 28, 2024, to December 28, 2025. Emerging artist Skippa captured third place with 79.9 million views, while established stars Masicka (74.5 million) and Squash (64.1 million) completed the top five. The list continued with Alkaline, Jamal, Malie Donn, Popcaan, and producer DJ Mac rounding out the top ten.

    Geographic data analysis indicates Chronic Law’s strongest viewership originated from Kingston, Jamaica; New York, USA; Port of Spain, Trinidad; and London, England. His most-streamed tracks included ‘New York Girls,’ ‘Empty,’ ‘Higher Life’ (a collaboration with Kranium), ‘Kick It Wid Myself’ (with Popcaan), and ‘Don’t Fall.’

    Vybz Kartel demonstrated remarkable international appeal with his primary audiences located in Nairobi, Kenya; Paris, France; and Accra, Ghana. His top-performing songs were ‘God is the Greatest,’ ‘Ignite the World,’ ‘Fever,’ ‘Unstoppable,’ and ‘Whine to the Top.’

    Despite the overall artist dominance by male performers, the year’s most-streamed individual track was the ‘Shake It To The Max’ remix featuring Shenseea and Skillibeng, which has amassed nearly 220 billion views since its March 2025 premiere. This was followed by ‘Beloved and Blessed’ by Jaame.sss featuring Inner Circle’s Skatta Lopa and Armanii’s ‘8:00 PM’ in third place.

    Notably, for the second consecutive year, no female dancehall artists appeared in the top 15 most-viewed artists ranking, nor were any solo female tracks represented in the year’s top songs list, highlighting an ongoing gender disparity within the genre’s digital landscape.

  • Aston Villa beat Forest to ease pain of Arsenal rout

    Aston Villa beat Forest to ease pain of Arsenal rout

    BIRMINGHAM — Demonstrating formidable resilience, Aston Villa decisively defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 in a Premier League clash at Villa Park on Saturday. The commanding performance served as a powerful response to their midweek 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, propelling Unai Emery’s squad into second place in the league standings, surpassing Manchester City.

    The match unfolded as a tale of two halves. After a first period dominated by possession but lacking a clinical finish, Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock on the cusp of halftime. The in-form English striker received a delivery from Morgan Rogers outside the area and unleashed a powerful strike for his fourth goal in three consecutive games.

    Captain John McGinn extended Villa’s advantage early in the second half, expertly side-footing a cross from Matty Cash into the net. Despite a momentary resurgence from the visitors—marked by a superb chipped finish from Morgan Gibbs-White in the 61st minute—Forest’s hopes were extinguished by a catastrophic goalkeeping error. Forest’s John Victor inexplicably abandoned his goal to challenge a long ball, allowing McGinn to calmly collect possession and slot into the empty net from distance.

    The victory reinforces Villa Park’s status as a Premier League fortress, with the club now boasting 11 consecutive home wins since August. Manager Unai Emery revealed post-match that the team held a reflective meeting following their Arsenal defeat, focusing on rebuilding confidence and maintaining collective strength. The result leaves Villa on 42 points, just three behind league leaders Arsenal, who play later on Saturday.

    For Nottingham Forest, the defeat marks a fourth consecutive league loss, leaving them hovering just four points above the relegation zone. Manager Sean Dyche acknowledged the mental challenges facing his squad, emphasizing the difficulty of consistently recovering from self-inflicted setbacks.