标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant departure from tradition, Scotiabank Jamaica has announced the cancellation of its annual Christmas in the Park celebration to redirect resources toward communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa in western Jamaica.

The bank’s decision represents a strategic reallocation of festive season resources toward critical recovery efforts. The popular event, typically held at Emancipation Park, annually attracts thousands of attendees for musical performances and holiday festivities.

Yanique Forbes Patrick, Head of Caribbean Corporate Affairs at Scotia Group, explained the rationale behind this shift: “Our priority this holiday season is unequivocally focused on supporting families and communities engaged in rebuilding efforts. We believe the most authentic way to honor the spirit of Christmas is by providing tangible support and comfort to those most severely impacted by the hurricane.”

Instead of organizing the large-scale public celebration, Scotiabank will channel its Christmas budget toward distributing essential food packages and festive supplies to households affected by the natural disaster. This initiative aims to bring both practical assistance and seasonal cheer to regions facing considerable hardship.

The bank has simultaneously committed J$165 million to broader national relief and reconstruction programs. These funds are being distributed through established organizations actively engaged in recovery work, with Food For the Poor already receiving J$18 million from this substantial relief fund.

While expressing regret about pausing their traditional celebration, Scotiabank emphasized its ongoing commitment to Jamaican communities and anticipates resuming the Christmas in the Park event in future years when recovery efforts have advanced.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Senate convened in a special session Friday to commemorate the extraordinary legacy of Consul General to New York Alsion Roach Wilson, whose diplomatic service redefined Jamaica’s international engagement before her passing on November 8, 2025.

Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson inaugurated the tributes by highlighting Wilson’s profound connection with the Jamaican diaspora. He revealed her exceptional fundraising capabilities, noting how she secured over US$150,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide technological devices for students, and more recently mobilized approximately US$600,000 in relief efforts following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation.

Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, elaborated on Wilson’s transformative diplomatic approach. Her tenure was characterized by visionary leadership that significantly expanded Jamaica’s diplomatic influence across 33 U.S. states under her jurisdiction. She established groundbreaking institutional partnerships with major organizations including Hartford HealthCare, University of the West Indies, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Monroe University, and the Alpha School of Music.

Among her most notable achievements was the complete revitalization of the Jamaica Independence Gala, which she transformed into New York’s premier celebration of Jamaican culture and philanthropic endeavor. Through strategic relationship-building and unwavering dedication, Wilson enhanced Jamaica’s international image while converting international goodwill into concrete nation-building initiatives.

Opposition Senator Maziki Thame acknowledged Wilson’s selfless service in advancing the welfare of Jamaicans both domestically and abroad. The late Consul General’s contributions were recently recognized with Jamaica’s prestigious Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, awarded by the national government.

Wilson was laid to rest on December 5 at the Community Baptist Church in Englewood, New Jersey, following a distinguished career that established new standards for diplomatic excellence and community engagement.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican business leader Earl Jarrett has issued a compelling call to action for substantial investment in early childhood development, emphasizing its undeniable returns for national prosperity. The CEO and deputy chair of The Jamaica National Group underscored that the most crucial phase for cognitive and social development occurs before age five, making early education fundamental to building national human capacity.

Speaking at a special colloquium, Jarrett simultaneously urged employers to actively support maternal healthcare by facilitating prenatal clinic attendance for expectant mothers. The event honored the 110th birth anniversary of Dudley Grant, revered as the pioneering father of Jamaica’s early childhood education movement. Grant’s enduring educational philosophy—centered on play-based pedagogy and innovative use of low-cost materials—continues to influence contemporary teaching methodologies.

Jarrett highlighted Grant’s transformative ‘trashables to teachables’ approach, his collaborative partnerships with both corporate and academic sectors, and his profound impact on policy development and international practices. ‘He functioned as an apostle who gathered like-minded visionaries,’ Jarrett remarked. ‘He truly was the movement’s patriarch.’

The gathering facilitated strategic discussions on strengthening early childhood systems throughout the region, addressing critical themes including effective policy formulation, technology’s impact on developing minds, and building sectoral resilience. Jarrett stated these dialogues should ‘reaffirm or reframe societal attitudes toward young children,’ noting that a robust early educational framework establishes the foundation for a literate and compassionate society.

With Jamaica navigating significant contemporary challenges, Jarrett positioned child protection and preparation as central to national recovery efforts, describing children as ‘the present value of the nation’s future wealth.’ He emphasized the urgent need to ‘safeguard the youngest among us’ to develop essential human capacity for the coming three decades.

Concurrently, Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon advocated for institutionalizing preparedness and resilience within early childhood education. Referencing lessons from Hurricane Melissa, she revealed collaborative efforts with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to develop updated emergency guidelines specifically designed for early childhood institutions.

The minister cited widespread damage to school computer labs during recent hurricanes, stressing that disaster preparedness must transcend annual drills and become embedded in institutional culture. ‘We need to live and breathe preparedness—it must become our operational mindset,’ she asserted. The ministry is additionally examining curriculum revisions for teacher-training programs to incorporate mandatory crisis management and disaster risk reduction components.

A complex family conflict involving property rights and alleged arson attempts has unfolded in the St James Parish Court, where 72-year-old electrician Junior Malcolm stands accused of intentionally setting fire to his daughter’s residence. The case, heard before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton, reveals a troubling domestic saga centered around a $38 million property previously owned by Malcolm’s wife and subsequently purchased by his daughter and son-in-law.

The court proceedings revealed Malcolm had been permitted to reside in the property despite the ownership transfer, creating an environment for ongoing familial tensions. Prosecutors presented evidence indicating this was not Malcolm’s first attempt to destroy the residence, marking the recent incident as his second alleged arson attempt against the same property.

Legal representation for the defendant, attorney Chrishana Fregenette, initially encountered difficulties in securing bail arrangements due to the absence of proposed custodians during proceedings. She later presented alternative living arrangements while emphasizing concerns about detaining an individual of Malcolm’s advanced age.

The prosecution vigorously opposed bail, citing Malcolm’s demonstrated propensity for repeat offenses. Court documents indicated medical professionals at Cornwall Regional Hospital had evaluated Malcolm and found no mental health impairments, suggesting his actions were deliberate rather than medically influenced. The clerk of court expressed particular concern that Malcolm would successfully execute his threat to burn down the property if released.

Judge Fairclough-Hylton, acknowledging the seriousness of the repeated allegations and the absence of mitigating mental health factors, ordered Malcolm remanded in custody until December 5. The postponement allows for the awaited fire department report and provides time for family members to arrange appropriate supervision responsibilities.

A significant act of deliberate sabotage has severely impacted telecommunications services across the Kingston Metropolitan Area. Digicel Jamaica has reported a criminal vandalism attack on a crucial segment of its underground fiber optic infrastructure in New Kingston, which it describes as a protected cable route. The incident, believed to have occurred overnight, has been condemned by the company as a dangerous and reckless assault on national infrastructure.

In an official statement released Friday morning, Digicel detailed the severe consequences of this targeted attack. The vandalism has resulted in widespread service disruptions, affecting countless customers, businesses, and essential services throughout the capital region. Technical response teams were immediately deployed to the affected site to conduct urgent restoration work, aiming to repair the critical infrastructure and reinstate services with maximum expediency.

Stephen Murad, Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Jamaica, issued a strong condemnation of the incident, framing it as an attack on Jamaica’s communications backbone. He emphasized that such deliberate destruction disrupts business operations, threatens public safety mechanisms, and interrupts the daily lives of citizens. Murad affirmed the company’s resolve to not be deterred by such criminal acts, reiterating their commitment to rebuilding a more resilient and reliable network. The company is collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation and is urging members of the public to report any suspicious activities observed near telecommunications sites or underground access points to aid in apprehending those responsible.