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  • ‘I am sorry,’ embattled Starmer tells Epstein victims

    ‘I am sorry,’ embattled Starmer tells Epstein victims

    LONDON—British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a sweeping apology Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, a decision that has triggered the most severe political crisis of his premiership.

    The embattled leader addressed Epstein survivors directly, stating: ‘I am sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him.’ His emotional remarks came amid mounting pressure from within his own Labour Party and the revelation of newly-unsealed court documents detailing Mandelson’s extensive ties to the convicted sex offender.

    The documents, released last Friday, exposed intimate email exchanges between Mandelson and Epstein that revealed not only a warm personal friendship but also financial dealings and the sharing of confidential, potentially market-sensitive information nearly two decades ago. This latest disclosure follows Mandelson’s dismissal from the Washington post last September after just seven months, prompted by an earlier release of Epstein-related files.

    The scandal has exposed deep fractures within Starmer’s government, with Labour MPs expressing unprecedented anger during parliamentary proceedings. ‘The mood yesterday was the angriest I think I’ve ever seen Labour MPs in the 16 years that I’ve been in parliament,’ confirmed Labour lawmaker Karl Turner. ‘We can’t pretend that this is not a crisis situation.’

    Opposition parties have intensified calls for the resignation of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, a known Mandelson ally who reportedly advocated for the controversial appointment. The prime minister has publicly defended his aide despite the growing backlash.

    The political fallout extends to financial markets, with the pound emerging as the worst-performing currency among its peers during Wednesday-to-Thursday trading. The crisis comes at a critical juncture for Labour, which returned to power just 19 months ago after fourteen years in opposition, and now faces challenging by-elections and local elections in the coming months.

    Mandelson, 72, has resigned from Parliament’s House of Lords and is currently under police investigation for alleged misconduct in a public office. While he has not publicly commented this week, UK media reports indicate he maintains his innocence and will cooperate with authorities.

  • NHT to pay an additional 10,000 contribution refunds by February 9

    NHT to pay an additional 10,000 contribution refunds by February 9

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s National Housing Trust (NHT) is accelerating its refund distribution with an additional 10,000 contributors scheduled to receive their 2018 contribution refunds by Monday. This latest disbursement, valued at approximately $39 million, represents part of an intensive five-week payout initiative that has already processed substantial amounts for eligible citizens.

    Cameo Simmons Thomas, Supervisor of the Contributions, Refunds, Payments and Monitoring Unit, revealed impressive processing statistics during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank session on February 5. “Over the past five weeks, we have received 220,000 applications and successfully processed 131,000 refunds totaling $5.9 billion,” Thomas announced, highlighting the organization’s efficient handling of the massive volume.

    In a significant policy expansion, the NHT has broadened cash refund accessibility to include all mortgage holders in good standing. Previously limited to public-sector mortgage holders, this benefit extension implemented since July 2025 now enables qualified mortgagors from all sectors to claim refunds through online applications without errors.

    The NHT’s operational mechanism involves contributors allocating two percent of their monthly salary, which employers annually remit to the Trust. These funds accumulate over a seven-year period, becoming refundable in the eighth year with accrued interest. “Contributors earn two percent interest annually on their deposits, resulting in approximately 14 percent total interest by the refund period,” Thomas explained.

    While January typically experiences application surges, the NHT emphasizes that refund requests can be submitted throughout the year via their official website (nht.gov.jm) or digital platform (NHT Online), providing convenient access from any location.

  • Cancer second leading cause of death in the Caribbean

    Cancer second leading cause of death in the Caribbean

    PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has issued a sobering assessment of the region’s healthcare challenges, revealing that cancer continues as the second leading cause of mortality throughout Caribbean nations, trailing only cardiovascular diseases in fatalities.

    In conjunction with World Cancer Day observances under the theme “United by Unique,” CARPHA’s comprehensive analysis documented approximately 119,000 new cancer diagnoses and over 66,000 cancer-attributed deaths across the Caribbean in 2022. The agency projects a disturbing 69 percent surge in cancer incidence throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by 2045, attributing this alarming trend to demographic aging and escalating exposure to primary risk factors.

    The Caribbean region demonstrates particularly concerning statistics for specific cancer types. Medical research identifies nine Caribbean territories among the fifteen global jurisdictions with the highest age-standardised incidence rates for prostate cancer, including Guadeloupe—which records the world’s highest prevalence—followed by Martinique, Barbados, Puerto Rico, French Guiana, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Additionally, eight Caribbean nations rank among the top fifteen for prostate cancer occurrence, with Jamaica, Barbados, and Haiti featuring prominently.

    The cervical cancer mortality landscape appears equally troubling, with Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Barbados occupying the second, third, and fourth highest global mortality rates respectively for this preventable disease.

    Dr. Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Executive Director, announced the forthcoming publication of “Cancer Incidence in the Caribbean, Volume I,” a seminal surveillance report compiling data from seven national cancer registries. This landmark document will provide unprecedented insights into cancer patterns across Barbados, Bermuda, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

    While fifteen Caribbean countries have implemented dedicated national cancer control plans or integrated cancer management into broader noncommunicable disease strategies, CARPHA acknowledges significant disparities in healthcare responses across the region. Challenges persist regarding limited access to diagnostic services, treatment facilities, screening programs, and palliative care, with late-stage diagnosis remaining prevalent in numerous healthcare systems.

    Since 2015, CARPHA has operated the International Agency for Research on Cancer Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub in collaboration with global health organizations including the US National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Pan American Health Organization. This initiative represents a concerted effort to enhance data quality and inform policy decisions through robust cancer surveillance mechanisms.

  • Michelangelo foot sketch sells for record US$27.2 million at auction

    Michelangelo foot sketch sells for record US$27.2 million at auction

    NEW YORK — A remarkable rediscovery in the art world culminated in a historic auction event Thursday when a previously unknown Michelangelo drawing achieved a staggering $27.2 million sale at Christie’s New York. The extraordinary price establishes a new auction record for any work by the Renaissance master.

    The exquisite red-chalk sketch, measuring just several inches, represents one of approximately fifty preparatory studies Michelangelo created for his legendary Sistine Chapel frescoes. These works stand alongside his sculptural masterpieces David and Pieta as defining achievements of Western art.

    Christie’s reported an intense 45-minute bidding competition among multiple international collectors participating both in person and remotely. The final hammer price dramatically exceeded the lower pre-sale estimate by nearly twenty times. The auction house has maintained confidentiality regarding the purchaser’s identity.

    This acquisition represents an exceptionally rare opportunity, as fewer than ten Michelangelo drawings remain in private collections worldwide. The work’s authentication began when its previous owner submitted a photograph through Christie’s digital appraisal portal. Specialists from the auction house’s Old Masters department subsequently confirmed both the attribution and the drawing’s specific purpose—a study of the right foot belonging to the Libyan Sibyl figure positioned at the eastern extremity of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.

    Andrew Fletcher, Global Head of Old Masters at Christie’s, described the offering as “an exceptional piece with a wonderful story.” He emphasized the competitive bidding reflected the drawing’s unique significance, noting this likely represented “the only chance a collector might have to acquire a study for arguably the greatest work of art ever made.”

    The previous auction record for Michelangelo stood at $24.3 million, established in Paris for a figurative sketch containing a nude male study with secondary background figures.

  • Fi We Children Foundation condemns confiscation of students’ jackets amid cold front

    Fi We Children Foundation condemns confiscation of students’ jackets amid cold front

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A prominent children’s rights organization has issued a strong condemnation of a primary school’s controversial decision to confiscate student jackets during a cold weather episode, sparking nationwide debate about children’s welfare in educational settings.

    The Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) expressed profound concern regarding an incident at a Spanish Town primary school in Saint Catherine parish, where administrators reportedly seized outerwear from students despite plummeting temperatures associated with an ongoing cold front. The foundation’s Wednesday statement characterized the action as a serious breach of the institution’s duty of care toward enrolled children.

    This controversial measure generated substantial distress among parental circles and raised critical questions regarding the appropriate application of school grooming policies. The advocacy group emphasized that Jamaica’s seasonal cold fronts present genuine health vulnerabilities for young learners, particularly affecting their physical comfort, academic concentration, and overall learning capacity.

    Citing both national legislation and international conventions, FWCF underscored that educational institutions bear legal and ethical obligations to prioritize children’s wellbeing. The organization referenced Jamaica’s Child Care and Protection Act alongside the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Jamaica has ratified, noting that these frameworks mandate humane treatment and protection from unnecessary physical discomfort.

    While acknowledging Jamaica’s predominantly tropical climate, the foundation highlighted that periodic cold weather remains an environmental reality requiring flexible policy implementation. The group advocated for revised national guidelines that would eliminate unilateral decision-making power by individual administrators regarding grooming standards.

    Africka Stephens, FWCF’s Executive Founder, asserted that regulatory measures intended to maintain order should never compromise children’s health, comfort, or dignity. She emphasized that disciplinary approaches resulting in humiliation, endangerment, or exclusion contradict fundamental educational principles and basic justice.

  • Man sentenced to life in prison for plotting to kill Trump in 2024

    Man sentenced to life in prison for plotting to kill Trump in 2024

    A federal court has sentenced Ryan Routh to life imprisonment plus seven years for his meticulously planned attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump during the critical pre-election period of September 2024. The 59-year-old Hawaiian resident was convicted on multiple charges, including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer, following a dramatic trial that revealed extensive preparation for the violent act.

    US District Judge Aileen Cannon delivered the stern sentence after a comprehensive 90-minute hearing, emphasizing the necessity to safeguard public security from Routh’s demonstrated dangerousness. The judicial proceedings reached their climax when Routh, who elected to represent himself despite lacking legal qualifications, delivered a perplexing 20-page statement that required repeated judicial intervention to conclude.

    The operational details emerged during trial testimonies: Secret Service personnel identified a rifle barrel protruding from vegetation at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course on September 15, 2024. This observation triggered immediate defensive measures, resulting in Routh’s apprehension after a brief vehicular pursuit. Law enforcement subsequently recovered an AK-pattern rifle equipped with optical targeting technology and additional ammunition at the scene.

    Prosecutor John Shipley characterized the plot as a calculated effort to destabilize American democracy through political violence. The Justice Department, through Attorney General Pam Bondi, condemned the attempt as fundamentally anti-democratic. This incident occurred merely two months after another assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, where a rally attendee died from gunfire that slightly injured Trump’s ear.

    Routh’s courtroom behavior included bizarre requests for exotic trial accommodations and unconventional juror selection criteria, all denied by the court. Following his conviction, he attempted self-harm with a writing instrument, requiring intervention by court security personnel. Although Routh expressed abstract regrets during sentencing, his precise motivations for targeting Trump remain officially undetermined.

  • Elon Musk criticises speculated casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy

    Elon Musk criticises speculated casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy

    Technology magnate Elon Musk has ignited a fiery cultural debate after publicly criticizing acclaimed director Christopher Nolan regarding unconfirmed casting reports for his forthcoming adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. The controversy centers on speculation that Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o might portray the mythological Helen of Troy, a character traditionally depicted in Western art as fair-skinned.

    The discourse emerged when Musk responded to a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) that objected to potential casting choices that might deviate from classical European depictions. The billionaire entrepreneur stated that ‘Christopher Nolan has lost his integrity,’ triggering immediate backlash from entertainment industry figures and social media users alike.

    Veteran actress Whoopi Goldberg addressed the controversy on The View, noting that Homer’s original text never explicitly described Helen’s physical characteristics beyond her renowned beauty. This perspective was echoed across platforms including Meta’s Threads, where users highlighted the inherent flexibility in interpreting mythological figures within fictional adaptations.

    The online debate has polarized into two primary camps: those advocating for strict adherence to traditional European visual representations, and others arguing that mythological narratives inherently invite creative reinterpretation. Notably, the production features an ensemble cast including Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, though Nyong’o’s involvement remains unconfirmed by official sources.

    This incident reflects broader ongoing conversations about representation, creative license, and the interpretation of classical works in contemporary cinema. Nolan’s project, currently in post-production, now faces increased public scrutiny amid these cultural discussions about authenticity versus artistic freedom in mythological storytelling.

  • Reputed gang leader ‘Bloodstain’ charged with double murder in Molynes shooting

    Reputed gang leader ‘Bloodstain’ charged with double murder in Molynes shooting

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have formally charged alleged gang leader Courtney Ashley, also known as “Blood Stain” or “Biggs,” with multiple serious offenses stemming from a deadly September 2025 shooting incident in the St Andrew South community.

    The charges include two counts of murder, wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of prohibited ammunition. The case originates from a targeted attack on September 15, 2025, approximately at 7:00 pm on Grenmeade Road in the Molynes area.

    According to investigative reports, assailants in a white Nissan AD Wagon executed a calculated assault on a group of individuals seated outside premises number 14. The shooting resulted in the tragic death of 25-year-old business operator Kimalie Powell (alias “Beans”) and two-year-old Tajuan Jackson, while 44-year-old chef Desmond Brown (alias “Papa”) sustained serious injuries.

    Eyewitness accounts and police evidence indicate the vehicle initially passed the victims, reversed direction, and halted nearby before occupants unleashed gunfire. Powell attempted to flee into a nearby property but collapsed fatally. Jackson suffered a fatal neck wound, and Brown was shot in the left chest area.

    Local residents transported the victims to Kingston Public Hospital, where Jackson was pronounced dead at 7:20 pm and Powell at 7:30 pm. Brown remained hospitalized in serious condition following emergency treatment.

    Forensic teams from the Major Investigation Division processed the crime scene, recovering substantial evidence including four 9mm spent casings, a damaged bullet, bullet fragments, and multiple biological samples for DNA analysis.

    Ashley’s apprehension occurred on January 12, 2026, during a coordinated police operation in Phoenix Park Village, St Catherine. Subsequent identification procedures conducted on February 2, 2026, at Greater Portmore Police Station led to formal charges being filed the following day.

    The judicial process is underway as authorities finalize court proceedings while continuing complementary investigations into the incident.

  • MORE THAN MONEY

    MORE THAN MONEY

    Mount Pleasant Football Academy, frequently perceived as Jamaica’s wealthiest football entity due to its substantial financial undertakings, is actively challenging this characterization. Sporting Director Paul Christie has publicly rejected the ‘cash-rich’ label, arguing it misrepresents the club’s reality and hinders broader progress within the nation’s football landscape.

    Since English businessman Peter Gould acquired the club in 2016, Mount Pleasant has undergone a transformative investment program. This strategic infusion of capital has yielded significant on-field success, including capturing both the Jamaica Premier League and the prestigious Concacaf Caribbean Cup titles. Their ambitious projects extend beyond player transfers and staff hiring; the club pioneered the Caribbean’s first multi-million-dollar football academy in St. Ann and established strategic partnerships with England’s Charlton Athletic and Belgian side R.A.E.C. Mons.

    These ventures, while breeding envy and accusations of unfair advantage among local stakeholders, are portrayed by Christie as essential components of a larger vision dubbed ‘Project Jamaica.’ He emphasizes that the driving force is not limitless wealth but the singular commitment of owner Peter Gould, who believes fervently in the potential of Jamaican football. Christie laments the lack of unified support, stating that divergent efforts within the island’s football community ultimately damage the overall product.

    Despite acknowledging a deficiency in systemic and emotional support, the club leadership remains undeterred. Their mission is described as twofold: to elevate competitive performance and to fundamentally reshape football’s cultural status in the region from a mere pastime into a viable professional business enterprise. This involves changing deep-seated mindsets and instilling a professional work ethic, a challenge Christie admits is difficult but necessary.

    The commitment is being tested by a grueling schedule. Qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 has compounded their domestic duties, resulting in 12 matches over two months. Christie frames this heavy workload not as a burden, but as the inevitable price of ambition and a standard experience for elite clubs globally. He asserts that embracing this challenge is crucial for building a resilient football culture and achieving long-term success for Jamaican and Caribbean football on the world stage.

  • Bill Gates’ inclusion in Epstein files a reminder of ‘painful times’, says ex-wife

    Bill Gates’ inclusion in Epstein files a reminder of ‘painful times’, says ex-wife

    In a deeply personal revelation, billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has characterized the recent inclusion of her former spouse, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, in newly unsealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents as a source of significant emotional distress, resurrecting memories of “painful times” during their marriage. Her comments, initially made during a podcast interview with NPR and subsequently reported by the BBC, convey an overwhelming sense of “unbelievable sadness” surrounding the matter.

    The extensive document release by the U.S. Department of Justice features a roster of prominent international figures, including former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as the disgraced former Prince Andrew. It is crucial to note that an individual’s appearance in these legal files does not inherently signify awareness of or complicity in Epstein’s extensive criminal activities, a distinction often emphasized by legal experts.

    Amidst the renewed public scrutiny, Melinda French Gates articulated a sense of relief at her distance from the controversy, stating she was “so happy to be away from all the muck.” The couple, once globally recognized for their joint philanthropic leadership through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, finalized their divorce in 2021. This separation was institutionally cemented in 2025 when the foundation was rebranded as the Gates Foundation following her formal resignation.

    The unsealed records contain a specific, unverified allegation from Epstein himself, claiming Bill Gates had contracted a sexually transmitted disease. This claim was swiftly and vehemently denied by a spokesperson for Gates, who labeled it “absolutely absurd.” In a separate interview with Australia’s 9News, Bill Gates addressed his acknowledged, albeit limited, association with the convicted sex offender, confirming their interactions were confined to several dinners. He explicitly denied ever visiting Epstein’s private island, expressing profound regret for any association: “Every minute I spent with him I regret, and I apologize that I did that.”

    Melinda French Gates concluded her reflections with a call for transparency, suggesting that lingering questions stemming from the documents should be addressed directly by those named within them.