In a compelling address at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Emilia Lifaka Memorial Lecture, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized the critical role of democracy in fostering peace, prosperity, and human dignity, even in the face of mounting global pressures. Speaking to the 56-member Commonwealth grouping, Mottley highlighted the challenges democracies face today, including debt, distrust, digital division, and societal fatigue. She underscored the resilience of democratic systems, citing recent events in France and the recognition of a Palestinian state as examples of how democracies navigate dissent and decision-making under one roof. Mottley called for a renewed commitment to democracy, urging the Commonwealth to lead by example and ensure that democratic principles are accessible to all, not just a privileged few. She stressed the importance of building strong institutions, fostering civic culture, and addressing systemic issues such as judicial accountability, global inequality, and the climate crisis. Mottley also highlighted the Caribbean’s unique position as a laboratory for democratic innovation, advocating for the export of good governance alongside goods and talent. Her message was clear: democracy is not a static ideal but a dynamic, ongoing effort that requires collective action and vigilance.
标签： Jamaica
牙买加
-
Vaz mourns passing of JUTC bus driver
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The nation is in mourning following the untimely death of Dwayne Mullings, a dedicated bus driver for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). Mullings tragically lost his life after the bus he was operating veered off the road and crashed into a ditch on Wednesday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the transport sector and the wider community. Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, expressed profound grief over the loss, extending heartfelt condolences to Mullings’ family, friends, and colleagues. Minister Vaz highlighted Mullings’ unwavering professionalism and pride in serving the commuting public, noting that public transport operators like him are indispensable to the daily functioning of Jamaica. “The JUTC family and the entire transport sector are deeply affected by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mullings’ loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Vaz stated. The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering support for the JUTC, emphasizing solidarity as they navigate this period of sorrow.
-
Gov’t to establish institute for cultural practitioners and creatives
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has announced the creation of the Institute for Cultural Practitioners, Innovators, Entertainers, and Creatives (ICPIEC), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering innovation and excellence in cultural and heritage-focused programming. The institute will offer advanced, flexible education and professional development across diverse creative fields, including the arts, digital technology, archaeology, gastronomy, and creative entrepreneurship.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia Grange, unveiled the plan during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday. She presented a Green Paper on the National Policy for Culture, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy, outlining the government’s vision for the sector.
Grange emphasized that the ICPIEC will leverage partnerships with local and international institutions, including universities and colleges, to champion human development and strengthen Jamaica’s creative ecosystem. ‘We are building an institutional framework that values our cultural identity, manages cultural resources effectively, nurtures talent, and prepares creatives for global competition,’ she stated. The institute will also introduce a micro-credentialing model, enabling cultural practitioners to earn certifications while continuing their professional work.
To support this initiative, the government will establish the Jamaica Entertainment and Cultural Development Foundation, a registered charity designed to provide sustainable funding. The foundation will mobilize investments from the government, the diaspora, and private donors, focusing on infrastructure development, program funding, event execution, and institutional capacity-building.
Additionally, the Ministry is advancing the Entertainment, Culture, and Creative Economy Act, which aims to formalize the industry, safeguard creatives’ rights, foster private-sector collaboration, and incentivize sustainable growth. ‘This legislation will enable us to measure, monitor, and value the sector’s contributions while ensuring policies adapt to technological, economic, and social trends,’ Grange explained.
The policy also addresses the sustainability of Jamaica’s festival economy, which impacts community, national, regional, and international events. This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Jamaica as a global leader in the creative industries.
-
Former FBI chief James Comey to make first US court appearance
In a dramatic turn of events, former FBI Director James Comey appeared at a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday to face felony charges. This development is widely perceived as a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign of legal retribution against his political adversaries. Comey, a prominent critic of Trump, was indicted last month by a grand jury on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The arraignment, presided over by District Judge Michael Nachmanoff, is expected to see Comey plead not guilty. The charges stem from his 2020 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he allegedly falsely claimed he had not authorized an FBI employee to act as an anonymous source in news reports. If convicted, Comey could face up to five years in prison. The indictment follows Trump’s public urging of Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey and others he views as enemies, a move that has raised concerns about the independence of the Justice Department. Trump, who has a history of targeting perceived enemies, hailed the indictment, calling Comey ‘one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to.’ The case has sparked debate about the costs of standing up to Trump, with Comey asserting his innocence and stating that his family has long understood the repercussions of opposing the former president. The indictment also comes in the wake of the resignation of the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, who reportedly found insufficient evidence to charge Comey. Trump replaced Siebert with Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer, who subsequently secured the indictment. The case adds to the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding Trump, who has faced multiple investigations since leaving office in 2021, including probes into the mishandling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
-
$231-m Troy bridge to be completed by year-end, says Minister Morgan
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The $231 million Troy Bridge project in Trelawny is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by December 2025, according to Robert Morgan, the Minister responsible for works. During a site visit on Wednesday, Minister Morgan expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing construction, emphasizing the bridge’s critical role in alleviating the challenges faced by residents since its collapse in 2021.
Minister Morgan highlighted the significance of the project, stating, ‘I’m happy that Jamaica can see the work that we’ve done. While there is still some work left, we are confident that the people of this area will be very proud once the project is finished.’ He also announced that road rehabilitation on both sides of the bridge is slated to begin in January 2026, further enhancing accessibility for residents, students, and local businesses.
The collapse of the Troy Bridge in August 2021, during Tropical Storm Grace, had a severe economic impact on the region. Minister Morgan underscored the bridge’s importance as a vital economic hub for Trelawny, Manchester, and St Elizabeth. ‘For the past four years, the absence of this bridge has been devastating. We are committed to rehabilitating the roads to support farmers, students, residents, and businesses, aiming to reinvigorate Troy,’ he added.
The minister also emphasized the government’s dedication to modernizing Jamaica’s infrastructure. ‘This bridge dates back to the 1800s, which illustrates the immense task we face in rebuilding and rehabilitating our infrastructure. However, the government is fully committed to this mission,’ he concluded.
-
‘Whisper’ Richards gets Boyz call-up as injury replacement for Demarai Gray
Chelsea FC’s young winger Dujuan “Whisper” Richards has been called up to the Jamaican national team, the Reggae Boyz, as a replacement for Demarai Gray in the ongoing Concacaf World Cup qualifiers. The 19-year-old, who was initially omitted from the 26-man squad, received the call on Thursday and is scheduled to arrive in Curacao on Friday afternoon, just in time for the crucial match against the hosts at the Ergilio Hato Stadium. Richards, who has earned 10 caps for Jamaica’s senior men’s team, last played for the national side on October 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Gray, who has been sidelined, will return to England to rejoin his club, Birmingham City, for further medical assessments. The rest of the squad, excluding the suspended Kasey Palmer and Isaac Hayden, have already arrived in Curacao and are set to begin training on Thursday morning.
-
Several Caribbean countries placed on watch as Tropical Storm Jerry strengthens
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Caribbean nations are on high alert as Tropical Storm Jerry, currently positioned approximately 835 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, is projected to escalate into a hurricane by Thursday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami has issued a tropical storm watch for multiple islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, St Barthelemy, St Martin, Sint Maarten, Saba, St Eustatius, and Guadeloupe. Residents in the northern Leeward Islands, the British and US Virgin Islands are also advised to closely monitor the storm’s progression. Jerry, the 10th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, is advancing west-northwest at 23 mph, with a predicted decrease in speed over the coming days before shifting north-northwest and north by Friday. The NHC forecasts that Jerry’s core will approach or pass north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday, with maximum sustained winds currently at 50 mph and expected to intensify. Rainfall of two to four inches is anticipated across the Leeward Islands, raising concerns of flash flooding, particularly in elevated areas. Additionally, swells generated by Jerry are likely to reach the Leeward and Windward Islands by Thursday, extending westward to the Greater Antilles by Friday, posing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
-
The Executive is overrunning the legislature, warns Campbell
In a recent debate in Jamaica’s House of Representatives, Dr. Dayton Campbell, the Opposition Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, raised concerns about the Executive branch’s dominance over the legislature. The debate centered on a motion to appoint members to sessional committees, introduced by Floyd Green, the Leader of Government Business. Green also announced the chairmen of these committees, a move the Opposition claims violates Parliament’s Standing Orders. Phillip Paulwell, the Leader of Opposition Business, emphasized that committee chairmen should be elected by members during their first meeting, as per the Standing Orders. The Opposition argued that the Government’s actions risk undermining the separation of powers, reducing transparency and accountability. Campbell, however, took a unique stance, highlighting the differences between Jamaica’s parliamentary system and the UK’s Westminster model. He noted that Jamaica’s smaller Parliament, with only 63 MPs, makes it easier for the Executive to dominate. Campbell pointed out that in the UK, with 650 MPs, the Executive does not overshadow the legislature to the same extent. He attributed the current issue to the majority of Government MPs being appointed to the Executive, leaving only five on the back benches. This imbalance, Campbell argued, is the root of the problem. The appointment of committee chairmen has been contentious since 2020, when Prime Minister Andrew Holness broke tradition by appointing Government members to chair most sessional committees, except for the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, which remain under Opposition control.
-
Opposition welcomes creative economy Green Paper, urges inclusion and action
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has introduced a landmark initiative to formalize and expand the nation’s cultural and creative industries, garnering bipartisan approval. The Green Paper on the National Policy for Culture, Entertainment, and the Creative Economy 2025–2035 was presented in Parliament on Tuesday by Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange. This comprehensive 10-year strategy aims to bolster a sector that already contributes over five percent of Jamaica’s GDP and nearly three percent of national employment. The policy outlines plans to establish new institutions, enhance intellectual property protections, and develop sustainable funding mechanisms to support artists, entertainers, and cultural practitioners. Minister Grange emphasized that the policy is a transformative framework designed to preserve Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage while unlocking the full potential of its creative sectors. She highlighted that the document was crafted after extensive consultations with cultural experts and industry stakeholders, aiming to place people and culture at the core of economic and social development. Opposition Spokesperson Nekeisha Burchell praised the initiative as a timely and necessary step, though she stressed the importance of including voices from smaller communities and traditional practitioners in the consultation process. Opposition Leader Mark Golding also commended the policy but called for a clear implementation blueprint, including timelines and governance structures. Meanwhile, MP Damion Crawford raised practical concerns, such as the low uptake of the entertainment registry and the need for stronger protections against the international exploitation of Jamaican cultural expressions. The policy has been widely welcomed as a critical step toward fostering national pride, social cohesion, and economic growth through Jamaica’s vibrant creative industries.
-
Victoria Beckham reveals struggle to reinvent herself in Netflix series
In a revealing three-part documentary set to premiere on Netflix this Thursday, Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, candidly shares her struggles and triumphs in reinventing herself after the iconic British girl band disbanded. Known for her ‘Posh Spice’ persona, Beckham, now 51, reflects on her public image, admitting, ‘People thought I was that miserable cow that never smiled.’