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  • Rise & Thrive initiative strengthens community leadership in Kingston ZOSO

    Rise & Thrive initiative strengthens community leadership in Kingston ZOSO

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A transformative initiative is delivering crucial support to community organizations operating within Kingston and St Andrew’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. The six-month Rise & Thrive project, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), represents a strategic intervention in four Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) communities: Parade Gardens, Greenwich Town, Denham Town and August Town.

    The program specifically addresses governance gaps that have emerged following the initial security-focused phases of Jamaica’s ZOSO framework. According to Project Manager Damion Hylton, while earlier ZOSO phases concentrated on ‘clearing and holding’ operations, the crucial ‘build phase’ requires strengthened community governance to ensure sustainable social and infrastructure development.

    Rather than introducing new programs, the initiative focuses on enhancing existing community-led efforts through institutional capacity building. In close collaboration with the Social Development Commission (SDC), the project provides targeted training in governance structures, project planning, financial management, and monitoring systems. This approach enables Community Development Committees (CDCs) and other grassroots organizations to transition into formal civil society entities capable of independently accessing funding and implementing programs.

    A distinctive feature of the initiative is its emphasis on youth leadership development. Recognizing that young people are both disproportionately affected by violence and statistically overrepresented in crime statistics, the program actively cultivates their participation in community decision-making processes.

    The personal impact is already evident among participants. Jada Brown, a 20-year-old university student from August Town, reports that the leadership training has transformed her self-perception: ‘Being selected as a leader for change has made me feel empowered. I believe I can use what I’ve learnt to inspire other young people.’

    Similarly, Hopeton Robinson of Parade Gardens has leveraged the initiative to advance youth development through a football program that successfully unites youths from previously conflicting communities.

    The project incorporates peacebuilding, restorative justice, and violence interruption approaches to address various community conflicts beyond crime reduction. By the conclusion of the six-month period, communities are expected to demonstrate more active CDCs, enhanced collaboration among civil society groups, and stronger partnerships with government agencies through coordinated ‘community conversations’ that assess needs and reduce effort duplication.

  • Woodcats launches first IPO under Junior Market’s new $750-m cap

    Woodcats launches first IPO under Junior Market’s new $750-m cap

    WOODCATS International Ltd is poised to make financial history by launching a landmark $750 million share offering, marking the first significant test of the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s recently expanded capital-raising threshold for its Junior Market. This strategic move will see the established pallet manufacturer secure funds for industrial enhancements while facilitating a partial divestment by its majority owner, Derrimon Trading Co.

    According to the company’s prospectus, the 27-year-old entity will issue up to 833.3 million ordinary shares priced at 90 cents each through a combined initial public offering and offer for sale. The transaction is structured as a fifty-fifty split, with half representing newly issued shares by Woodcats and the remainder comprising existing shares sold by Derrimon, which initially acquired the business in 2018. NCB Capital Markets Ltd. is steering the offering as the lead broker and arranger.

    Derrimon’s sale of 416.7 million shares is projected to yield approximately $375 million in gross proceeds. After accounting for equally shared transaction costs, the selling shareholder anticipates net proceeds of around $353 million. Despite this substantial sell-down, Derrimon will maintain its position as the dominant shareholder with a 49.4 percent stake post-listing, reduced from its previous holding of over 81 percent.

    This pioneering offering follows regulatory amendments that elevated the Junior Market’s fundraising cap from $500 million to $750 million. This policy revision aims to enable more mature, asset-intensive companies to continue benefiting from Junior Market incentives rather than transitioning prematurely to the Main Market. Woodcats’ utilization of the full enhanced limit serves as a crucial practical examination of whether investor appetite, market liquidity, and governance frameworks can accommodate larger-scale transactions.

    The capital raised by Woodcats—estimated at $375 million before expenses—will be primarily allocated to capital expenditure and working capital requirements rather than acquisition-driven expansion. Targeted investments include advanced resaws, pallet-nailing machines, shredders, crushers, dust-collection systems, and forklifts. This machinery-focused strategy underscores the operational dynamics of pallet manufacturing, where profitability hinges more on production efficiency, equipment reliability, and cost management than pricing power. Consequently, the IPO functions primarily as a balance-sheet optimization move rather than a growth-oriented market play.

    Operating from two Kingston facilities, Woodcats annually produces or services over 300,000 pallets for logistics operators, food distributors, and export clients. While pallets represent a low-profile product category, demand correlates strongly with warehousing, cold storage, and export volumes, effectively positioning the company as a barometer for Jamaica’s logistics and distribution economy. This economic linkage may lead institutional investors to perceive the business as structurally defensive despite its industrial nature.

    Financial performance reveals substantial improvement under Derrimon’s ownership, with operating profit surging more than fivefold from $31.9 million in 2020 to $179.3 million in 2024. This transformation reflects strategic capital investments, operational process enhancements, and a shift toward higher-margin services including certified heat treatment for export-market pallets. The current offering timing aligns with these cyclical earnings peaks, amplified by Junior Market tax concessions that enhance post-listing profitability.

    The offering structure reserves approximately two-thirds of shares for strategic investors, key partners, and employees, leaving only about 34 percent available for public subscription. This limited retail allocation mitigates execution risk for a transaction at the upper extreme of the Junior Market’s new size spectrum and indicates anticipated institutional anchoring rather than speculation-driven retail participation that has characterized smaller listings.

    The subscription period is scheduled from February 2 to February 20, subject to early closure if fully subscribed. Final listing remains contingent upon raising a minimum of $400 million and satisfying exchange admission requirements. While Junior Market companies enjoy full corporate income tax remission for their first five years followed by reduced rates, the prospectus explicitly warns that compliance failures could trigger tax clawbacks—a risk that grows proportionally with deal size and profitability.

    The offering document further highlights vulnerability to climate and supply-chain disruptions, specifically referencing Hurricanes Beryl (2024) and Melissa (2025) as events that disrupted Jamaican economic activity. While such events can generate short-term demand spikes in specific sectors, they simultaneously depress overall economic throughput and strain logistics networks. Additional risk emerges from inventory management, with inventories constituting over 21 percent of total assets by end-2024, thereby tying up significant capital and creating exposure to valuation fluctuations and obsolescence.

    Although Woodcats currently enjoys limited local competition in wooden pallet manufacturing, the prospectus acknowledges potential margin erosion from new market entrants or large customers internalizing pallet production. This competitive threat reinforces the company’s focus on achieving scale and efficiency through current capital raising before market pressures intensify.

    A successful listing would represent an evolutionary milestone for the Junior Market, demonstrating whether the expanded fundraising capacity can effectively support larger, cash-generative industrial enterprises beyond the smaller, early-stage companies that traditionally dominated the platform. More broadly, this transaction will indicate whether policy reforms aimed at deepening Jamaica’s capital markets can successfully attract offerings with substantial economic weight.

  • 200 main roads to be patched by March under $1.7 billion ‘Go Programme’ – Morgan

    200 main roads to be patched by March under $1.7 billion ‘Go Programme’ – Morgan

    Jamaica’s comprehensive $1.7 billion ‘Go Programme’ for national road infrastructure repairs will extend beyond parishes severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to Works Minister Robert Morgan. While initially prioritizing western parishes devastated by the hurricane, the government has recognized that road damage exists island-wide, necessitating a broader approach.

    Minister Morgan, speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, revealed that approximately 200 roads will undergo repairs by the end of March under the ambitious program. The minister provided detailed breakdowns of allocations across multiple parishes, demonstrating the nationwide scope of the infrastructure initiative.

    Clarendon Parish is set to receive $206 million for critical corridors including Four Paths to Guinep Tree, Hazard Drive, and Bustamante Highway, alongside numerous other vital routes. The capital region of Kingston and St. Andrew will benefit from a substantial $500 million investment targeting major thoroughfares such as Mannings Hill Road, Washington Boulevard, and Red Hills Road.

    Additional significant allocations include $130 million for St. James Parish, covering Montego Bay’s entire township and connecting routes, $107 million for Trelawny’s road network, and $100 million specifically for Westmoreland to address both hurricane-related damage and existing infrastructure needs. Minister Morgan emphasized that publicly listing the targeted corridors demonstrates governmental acknowledgment of the widespread road deterioration while assuring citizens that ‘solutions are coming’ with many projects already underway.

  • Broadcaster Walter ‘Bob’ Clarke has died

    Broadcaster Walter ‘Bob’ Clarke has died

    JAMAICA MOURNS LOSS OF BROADCASTING LEGEND

    Kingston, Jamaica – The Jamaican media landscape has lost one of its most distinguished voices with the passing of veteran broadcaster Walter Charles “Bob” Clarke. The renowned media personality, whose career spanned an impressive five decades, departed early Tuesday morning at Port Maria Hospital in St. Mary.

    Clarke, celebrated for his immensely popular Sunday program “Memories” on IRIE FM, had been receiving medical treatment at the facility for an undisclosed condition. His contributions to Jamaican culture and broadcasting were formally recognized when he was honored with the prestigious Order of Distinction, one of the nation’s highest civic awards.

    The broadcaster’s distinctive voice and curated musical selections on his long-running program made him a household name across the island. His Sunday broadcasts became an institution for generations of Jamaicans, blending nostalgic music with cultural commentary that preserved the nation’s audio heritage.

    At 75 years old, Clarke leaves behind a legacy that transcends mere broadcasting. Colleagues and listeners remember him not just as a media practitioner but as a cultural archivist who understood the power of radio to unite communities through shared memories and musical traditions.

    The Jamaican media community has begun paying tribute to Clarke’s remarkable career, noting his unwavering commitment to quality programming and his role in shaping the island’s radio landscape over half a century.

  • Trump rebukes armed protesters after Minnesota shooting

    Trump rebukes armed protesters after Minnesota shooting

    WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has ignited a fierce constitutional debate by declaring that individuals “can’t walk in with guns” at public protests, following the fatal shooting of a legally armed nurse by federal authorities in Minnesota. This position places the administration in direct conflict with its traditional gun rights allies, creating one of the most significant political challenges of Trump’s presidency.

    The controversy stems from the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was carrying a handgun legally when border agents subdued, disarmed, and killed him during a Minneapolis protest on Saturday. This incident occurred just days after immigration agents fatally shot unarmed activist Renee Good as she attempted to drive away from a demonstration.

    Trump attempted to navigate the delicate situation by calling the shooting “a very unfortunate incident” while simultaneously maintaining that firearms have no place in protest settings. This stance has drawn immediate condemnation from powerful gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association, which labeled administration suggestions that Pretti’s legal firearm possession justified the shooting as “dangerous and wrong.”

    Gun Owners of America reinforced the constitutional argument that Americans do not forfeit their Second Amendment rights when exercising their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly. The debate has exposed significant fractures within Trump’s political coalition, with libertarian-leaning Republicans like Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie arguing that “carrying a firearm is not a death sentence.”

    The administration itself displayed internal divisions, as Trump distanced himself from Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s baseless characterization of Pretti as an “assassin,” while still supporting the broader premise that armed protesters inherently threaten law enforcement.

    This position has revived accusations of hypocrisy from Trump critics, who note the stark contrast with the administration’s defense of armed conservatives like Kyle Rittenhouse, acquitted after killing two people with an AR-15 rifle at a 2020 protest. Further damaging testimony emerged from the January 6th committee, revealing Trump knew some supporters at his rally were armed but demanded reduced security checks before urging them to march on the Capitol.

    The escalating controversy has sharpened Democratic attacks and created unease within Trump’s base, potentially threatening one of his most reliable political alliances as the nation grapples with balancing gun rights and public safety.

  • Johan Smythe, Shanoya Douglas smash national junior indoor records

    Johan Smythe, Shanoya Douglas smash national junior indoor records

    Jamaican teenage sprinters Johan-Ramaldo Smythe and Shanoya Douglas from Holland High School delivered extraordinary performances at the Puma New York International Showcase 2026 on Saturday, setting new national junior indoor records in their respective events.

    Smythe demonstrated exceptional speed in the 200-meter invitational, clocking an impressive 21.18 seconds to claim victory in his heat. Despite his remarkable time, he secured second place overall as American athlete Brady Pineo from Wesley Chapel High School edged ahead with a winning time of 21.02 seconds in the final standings. Smythe also showcased his versatility by dominating his 60-meter heat with a swift 6.91 seconds, though he faced disqualification in the final where Pineo again triumphed with 6.82 seconds.

    Douglas emerged victorious in the 300-meter event, establishing her new national record with a blistering time of 36.98 seconds. She finished well ahead of her closest competitor, Rhia Randolph of West Orange High School, who completed the race in 38.16 seconds. The victory carried additional significance as Douglas responded decisively to pre-race challenges from competitors.

    Coach Garth Smythe expressed immense pride in his athletes’ accomplishments, particularly given the travel challenges they faced. ‘We are grateful that the athletes got to compete at this elite level despite arriving in New York late morning without adequate rest due to jet lag,’ he stated. ‘Their performances truly spoke for themselves under these circumstances.’

    The coach revealed that Douglas’s victory contained an extra layer of satisfaction as she had received competitive threats during a press conference approximately two weeks prior. ‘We took it personally,’ Smythe acknowledged, ‘and she addressed it emphatically by defeating that competitor by nearly two seconds.’

    Regarding his son’s performance, Coach Smythe explained that Johan-Ramaldo’s indoor time of 21.18 seconds translates to approximately 20.7 seconds outdoors, suggesting even greater potential. The young sprinter reportedly could have achieved faster results but was unfamiliar with indoor track conditions, essentially jogging through significant portions of his race.

    The athletes, who followed Coach Smythe from Muschett High to Holland High, maintain their established training regimen. The team now focuses on fine-tuning techniques and preparing for upcoming competitions including the Carifta Trials, Carifta Games, and championship events.

  • Senior judge urges motorists to educate themselves about traffic laws

    Senior judge urges motorists to educate themselves about traffic laws

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican judiciary has issued a compelling call for motorists to proactively educate themselves on national traffic legislation, emphasizing that legal literacy enables better decision-making and courtroom preparedness. Senior Judge Mitsy Beaumont-Daley of the Corporate Area Traffic Court delivered this message during a recent traffic symposium at the St Mary Parish Court, highlighting widespread ignorance of road laws among defendants. Judge Beaumont-Daley revealed that numerous individuals appearing before her court demonstrate unfamiliarity with basic traffic regulations, necessitating judicial explanations of statutes before defendants can enter informed pleas. She stressed personal responsibility in studying the Road Traffic Act, Transport Authority Act, and Road Traffic Regulations to confidently assert guilt or innocence when charged. The address identified frequently misunderstood offenses, including improper fog lamp usage—often confused with daytime running lights—and permissible hands-free device operation while driving. Judge Beaumont-Daley clarified that fog lamps are legally restricted to specific weather conditions, and electronic device use constitutes an offense only when not in hands-free mode. She articulated that comprehending penalties promotes compliance through wisdom and respect for others’ safety rather than mere fear of punishment. The senior judge concluded with a stern reminder that driving constitutes a privilege subject to revocation for abuse, affirming the court’s commitment to firm yet fair enforcement of traffic laws.

  • JPS contractor dies after falling from ladder

    JPS contractor dies after falling from ladder

    A tragic workplace incident in rural Jamaica has claimed the life of a veteran utility contractor. Courtney Robinson, a 66-year-old resident of Mandeville, Manchester, died on Monday afternoon following a fatal fall from a ladder while performing electrical maintenance operations. The accident occurred approximately at 4:00 PM in the Butt Up Town area near Albert Town, located in the southern Trelawny parish. Preliminary reports indicate Robinson sustained severe cranial trauma from the fall, which ultimately proved fatal. Local residents who witnessed the aftermath reported the contractor was engaged in routine service work for Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) when the accident transpired. While the exact circumstances leading to the fall remain under investigation, Jamaica’s Constabulary Communications Network (CCN) has officially confirmed the incident without releasing specific operational details. The energy provider has not yet issued an official statement regarding the tragedy or the deceased contractor’s employment status.

  • GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    Jamaican-American philanthropist Dr. Laxley Stephenson is spearheading a significant educational recovery effort across hurricane-affected regions of Jamaica through his organization, Global Humanity Network Incorporated (GHN). The nonprofit’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative has now reached 135 students islandwide, with recent distributions serving 85 additional students across Westmoreland and St Elizabeth parishes.

    The expansion follows GHN’s initial December deployment in Trelawny, where 50 students received comprehensive educational support after Hurricane Melissa destroyed critical learning materials. The latest phase provided complete textbook sets and essential supplies to 60 Westmoreland students and 25 in St Elizabeth, representing 20 educational institutions across both parishes.

    Dr. Stephenson, GHN’s President and CEO, emphasized the strategic nature of the intervention. ‘Our response transcends conventional charity,’ he stated. ‘While addressing immediate textbook shortages through approximately $1 million in distributed materials, we’re simultaneously launching a three-year mentorship framework designed to create sustainable educational pathways.’

    The initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from educational leaders. Nerissa Stevens, Principal of Little London Primary School, reported that GHN exceeded initial commitments by providing materials for 19 students instead of the planned nine. ‘This intervention directly addresses classroom instructional gaps,’ Stevens noted. ‘Recipients span our entire educational spectrum, from early childhood through sixth grade.’

    Concurrently, GHN is undergoing a strategic transformation from charity-focused operations to capacity-building development. The organization unveiled a 2026-2029 roadmap establishing a structured pipeline beginning with immediate relief (‘Helping Hands’), progressing through mentorship programs (‘Mentoring Matters’), and culminating in long-term educational investments (‘Beyond the Backpack’).

    The phased implementation will establish student cohorts and tracking systems in 2026, expand partnerships in 2027, and scale the model regionally through 2029. Professor Stephenson characterized this evolution as ‘elevating charity into a strategy for building futures,’ anticipating outcomes including strengthened youth leadership, reduced aid dependency, and self-sustaining community development.

  • Zed Airlines planes hit by bullets in Haiti

    Zed Airlines planes hit by bullets in Haiti

    A severe escalation of violence has directly targeted Haiti’s critical aviation infrastructure, plunging the nation’s air travel into deeper crisis. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince became the scene of a dangerous attack on Sunday when two commercial aircraft operated by Zed Airlines SA were struck by bullets during their final approach for landing.

    The National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) and the National Airport Authority (AAN) issued a joint statement vehemently condemning the act, highlighting its grave implications for both passenger safety and the integrity of Haitian airspace. In immediate response to what it termed a ‘force majeure event,’ Zed Airlines announced an indefinite suspension of all its flight operations into Haiti. The carrier stated this decisive action was mandated by international safety protocols and its legal duty to protect passengers and crew.

    The airline, a key operator on the Haiti-Brazil route, clarified that any future resumption of services is entirely contingent upon comprehensive technical and safety evaluations, directives from aviation authorities, and the findings of ongoing investigations. This incident has starkly revived security concerns surrounding the airport, echoing a similar episode in 2024 that prompted U.S. aviation regulators to suspend carrier flights after multiple gun attacks.

    This attack underscores the extreme volatility and powerful grip of armed gangs that have overwhelmed Haiti’s capital since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The United Nations reports that relentless gang warfare has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced countless more, with significant portions of Port-au-Prince under their control. The targeting of international aviation marks a alarming expansion of the violence, further isolating the embattled Caribbean nation. No casualties have been reported from Sunday’s shooting.