KINGSTON, Jamaica — Stacey-Ann Williams, the World Championship silver medallist, was warmly celebrated upon her return to Jamaica. The elite jewellery company Artwell and Co. hosted a special event to honor her remarkable achievements in athletics. Williams, who was part of the quartet that secured silver in the 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, was presented with a custom gold and diamond pendant during the ceremony. Her boyfriend, Olympic bronze medallist Rasheed Broadbell, joined her in this moment of recognition. Andre Artwell, director of Artwell and Co., emphasized the importance of celebrating Jamaica’s talented individuals, stating, ‘Jamaica is blessed with colourful and talented people who often don’t get their flowers while they are alive. I want to be an agent of change in that regard. Stacey has done so much for Brand Jamaica, so I definitely think she truly deserves to be honoured. This is just Artwell and Co’s way of saying thank you, we are proud of you.’ Williams expressed her gratitude for the love and recognition she received, sharing the special moment with Broadbell, who is also an accomplished athlete in the sprint hurdle event.
标签： Jamaica
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Police treating death of parish judge as suspected suicide
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Authorities are currently investigating the death of Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence as a suspected suicide. Lawrence was pronounced dead on Tuesday evening at the Falmouth Public General Hospital. Acting Commissioner of Police (ACP) Glendon Miller, overseeing the Area One Police Division, stated that the preliminary investigation points to suicide, though the inquiry remains in its early stages. ‘Our investigative team, led by Superintendent Jermaine Anglin, is meticulously gathering all necessary information to ensure a thorough examination,’ ACP Miller emphasized. Forensic investigations commenced last night and are ongoing, with statements being collected to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death. Lawrence was found unresponsive at her Coral Spring residence in Trelawny and was rushed to the hospital around 7:50 pm. Preliminary reports indicate no visible signs of physical injury on her body. The case continues to unfold as investigators work to confirm the cause of death.
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TJH makes partial pref share redemption
TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH) has commenced the partial redemption of its cumulative redeemable preference shares as part of its strategic growth initiatives. The company recently redeemed 5% of the principal amount of its 2.7 billion preference shares, equivalent to 135 million shares or US$1.35 million, based on a US$0.01 par value. This redemption, executed on July 14, coincided with the quarterly dividend payment. TJH’s preference shares offer an 8.0% dividend yield. The Jamaica Central Securities Depository (JCSD) facilitated the redemption process, ensuring pro-rata distribution among shareholders. Despite receiving a query, TJH reported no objections to the transaction. The company has since aligned its redemption schedule with the original terms, adjusting the maximum optional redemption amount to 15% by January 30, 2026, with quarterly redemptions tied to dividend payments. TJH initially issued these preference shares in January 2020, raising US$27 million. The shares, listed at $1.41 in September 2020, are set to mature by January 2028. TJH retains the right to redeem up to 20% of the shares after the sixth anniversary of issuance. The company’s Q2 2024 report highlighted a carrying value of US$23.88 million for the preference shares, with US$22.26 million classified as non-current. Early redemptions free up cash for ordinary shareholders, with TJH announcing a $0.1292 dividend totaling $1.62 billion, payable on October 24. This marks a 35% increase from 2024, reflecting TJH’s robust financial performance. Additionally, TJH updated its dividend payment structure to accommodate USD shareholders. The company is set to launch Phase 1C of Highway 2000 East-West in October, projected to generate US$9.5 million in revenue. TJH’s 2024 revenue reached US$82.82 million, driven by increased toll volumes, with net profit rising 28% to US$17.78 million. The company also adjusted toll rates and streamlined T-Tag acquisition processes, enhancing customer convenience. TJH’s asset base stood at US$295.44 million, with total equity closing at US$72.99 million. Despite a 13% decline in JMD share price, TJH remains focused on its expansion and operational efficiency.
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Buchanan’s bid to void St Andrew West Central election rejected
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Constituted Authority has dismissed a petition by Paul Buchanan, the defeated candidate in the St Andrew West Central constituency, seeking to nullify the results of the September 3 general election. Buchanan, representing the People’s National Party (PNP), lost to Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader and Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who secured 7,054 votes compared to Buchanan’s 4,953.
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WATCH: 29 Knox College students escape serious injuries in Manchester bus crash
MANCHESTER, Jamaica—A group of 29 students from Knox College in Spalding narrowly avoided serious injuries when their Coaster bus veered off the Content to Williamsfield main road on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred shortly before 8:00 am, according to local police reports. Sergeant Florizel Williams, head of the Manchester Traffic Department, stated that the driver swerved left to avoid colliding with a vehicle that had abruptly stopped in front of the bus. This sudden maneuver caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the bus running off the road. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported among the students. While most of the students proceeded to school, some were left traumatized and were picked up by their parents to return home. Sergeant Williams emphasized the importance of dash cameras in vehicles to clarify responsibility in such incidents. He urged motorists to install dash cams and suggested that insurance companies make their use mandatory to ensure clarity in accident investigations. Williams highlighted that dash cameras would help eliminate ambiguity in determining fault and improve overall road safety.
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UNLOCKING THE GULF MARKET
Jamaica is strategically positioning itself to tap into the lucrative luxury travel market, particularly targeting high-spending tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These nations are renowned for their affluent travelers who seek premium experiences, including five-star accommodations, halal-certified dining, and culturally sensitive services. With Saudi Arabia leading in population size, followed by the UAE and Oman, the GCC market represents a significant opportunity for Jamaica’s tourism sector. To capitalize on this, Jamaica is enhancing its offerings to meet the specific needs of GCC travelers, such as Arabic-speaking concierge services, luxury transfers, and privacy-focused amenities. A recent codeshare agreement between Emirates and Condor Airlines has further facilitated connectivity between Dubai, Frankfurt, and Montego Bay, paving the way for increased Middle Eastern visitation. Vijay D’Souza, trade director at Buzz Travel Marketing and regional representative for the Jamaica Tourist Board, emphasized the untapped potential of the GCC market, noting that word-of-mouth recommendations play a crucial role in attracting these travelers. Cortez Gordon, founder of Salaam Jamaica Tourism Network, highlighted the importance of aligning Jamaica’s tourism offerings with Islamic values, including halal-certified cuisine, prayer facilities, and culturally sensitive services. Gordon expressed optimism that these efforts could lead to significant economic benefits, including job creation and market diversification, while positioning Jamaica as a globally inclusive, Muslim-friendly destination.
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White House says firings ‘imminent’ as plan to reopen govt collapses
The United States government shutdown intensified on Wednesday as congressional Democrats departed without resolving a funding impasse with President Donald Trump, while the White House hinted at potential mass layoffs in the public sector. The stalemate began after federal funding expired at midnight, forcing agencies to scale back operations. The White House issued warnings of “imminent” job cuts, heightening tensions. Senate Democrats, advocating for extended health care subsidies for low-income families, rejected a House-approved bill that would have temporarily reopened the government. With Senate voting adjourned until Friday, hopes for a swift resolution have dwindled. Approximately 750,000 federal employees face furloughs, a form of unpaid leave, while essential workers like military personnel and border agents may work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association raised concerns over air safety as over 2,300 members were sent home. This shutdown carries higher stakes than previous ones, as Trump pushes for hard-right policies, including significant government cuts and potential mass firings. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is identifying areas for layoffs. House Republicans passed a stop-gap funding measure to sustain federal operations through late November, but Senate Democrats refuse to support it without compromises on spending cuts, particularly in health care. Senate Republican leaders, needing eight Democratic votes to pass the bill, managed to sway three moderates in an initial vote but failed to secure additional support. Congress will not vote on Thursday due to the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday, but the Senate will reconvene on Friday, potentially working through the weekend. The House is not scheduled to return until next week.
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SMEs gain bold insights at CEO luncheon
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operators in Jamaica are being encouraged to adopt a global perspective and implement strategies to enhance their competitiveness on the international stage. This advice was delivered by industry leaders Michelle Chong, CEO of Honey Bun, and Robert Scott, CEO of Lifespan Distributor, during the Honey Bun Foundation’s CEO Luncheon at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. The event highlighted the importance of thinking beyond local markets and exploring opportunities for export and collaboration, regardless of the industry. Both CEOs emphasized the need for SMEs to adopt a mindset akin to that of larger corporations, focusing on scalability and operational excellence. Scott particularly stressed the value of strategic networking, urging attendees to move beyond merely collecting contacts and instead focus on building meaningful relationships and exchanging services. He highlighted the underutilized potential of bartering, which can be mutually beneficial for businesses. Chong reinforced the idea of thinking big, encouraging SMEs to adopt a franchise mindset, which involves creating standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to transition from business owners to quality control managers. Integrity and reputation were also underscored as critical components for success, especially in a small, interconnected market like Jamaica.
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No place for absenteeism, lateness
In a bold move to address long-standing issues of absenteeism and tardiness, Jamaican parliamentary leaders Robert Morgan and Phillip Paulwell have issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament (MPs) as the new legislative year begins. Morgan, the deputy leader of government business, and Paulwell, the leader of Opposition business, emphasized their shared commitment to punctuality and consistent attendance during a press briefing following the Opening Ceremony for the Orientation of MPs at Gordon House on Tuesday.
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Jamaica’s unemployment rate drops to 3.3 per cent in July 2025 — Statin Report
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) unveiled encouraging data on Tuesday, revealing significant advancements in the nation’s labour market for July 2025. Compared to the same period in 2024, employment surged by 32,100 individuals, pushing the total employed labour force to 1,441,100. Notably, youth employment experienced a 7.2% rise, equating to 12,200 additional jobs. The wholesale and retail trade, along with motor vehicle and motorcycle repair sectors, emerged as the primary contributors to this growth. Simultaneously, underemployment—defined as part-time workers seeking more hours—declined by 5,400 to 25,400. Labour force participation also saw a notable uptick, increasing by 28,700 to 1,490,300, with males accounting for two-thirds of this rise. The overall participation rate stood at 69.1%, with males at 75.0% and females at 63.4%. Unemployment rates dropped from 3.6% in July 2024 to 3.3% in July 2025, driven largely by reductions among males and the prime working-age group (25-54 years). However, female unemployment saw a slight increase from 4.0% to 4.4%. Additionally, fewer individuals were outside the labour force, with the number decreasing from 694,200 to 665,500, particularly among males and prime working-age individuals. Statin emphasized that these findings underscore sustained positive momentum in Jamaica’s labour market, fostering economic stability and inclusive growth.