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标签： Jamaica

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  • Bermudian gov’t moving to ban single use plastic

    Bermudian gov’t moving to ban single use plastic

    HAMILTON, Bermuda — The Bermudian Government has introduced groundbreaking legislation designed to systematically reduce the island’s reliance on environmentally damaging single-use plastics. The Single-Use Plastics Act 2026, presented to legislators by Public Works and Environment Minister Jache Adams, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for a science-informed, consultation-driven transition.

    Minister Adams emphasized that the legislation represents a deliberate, measured approach rather than immediate blanket prohibitions. The act empowers authorities to regulate specific plastic items only after thorough stakeholder engagement and confirmation that viable alternatives exist for both ecological and economic sustainability.

    “This Bill creates the foundation for a careful, well-managed transition that works for the entire country,” Adams stated. “We are not rushing ahead with bans without first hearing from businesses, environmental organizations, students, seniors, and all community members who interact with these products daily.”

    The government’s strategy identifies certain items like plastic straws as potential early candidates for restriction, but only after establishing clear timelines and ensuring public readiness. This phased methodology aims to provide adequate adjustment periods for businesses and consumers while allowing for educational campaigns and behavioral shifts.

    Adams highlighted the critical interconnection between environmental protection and economic vitality, noting that Bermuda’s marine ecosystem sustains its tourism industry, fishing sector, and public health. Scientific evidence confirms the pervasive presence of microplastics in local waters, beaches, marine life, and even human bodies.

    Environmental organizations including Keep Bermuda Beautiful and Beyond Plastics Bermuda have endorsed the initiative, having documented the accumulating plastic fragments on Bermudian beaches and emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution. The legislation has been framed as a non-partisan opportunity for unified action, with the government now embarking on an exhaustive consultation process involving written submissions, stakeholder meetings, and assessment of practical alternatives to ensure accessible and affordable replacements.

  • Cubans ready for Russian oil but some say not enough

    Cubans ready for Russian oil but some say not enough

    HAVANA, Cuba — A Russian-flagged oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, docked in Cuba’s port of Matanzas on Tuesday, delivering 730,000 barrels of crude in the first such shipment to the island nation since January. The arrival comes as Cuba grapples with severe blackouts, fuel rationing, and crippling transportation shortages, exacerbating public frustration with the communist government.

    The shipment, permitted through a temporary exemption by the Trump administration, represents a complex geopolitical maneuver. While U.S. President Donald Trump stated he had “no problem” with Russia or other nations providing oil for humanitarian reasons, he simultaneously dismissed the gesture as insignificant, declaring, “Cuba’s finished.” The White House clarified that the decision was made on a case-by-case basis and did not signal a broader shift in sanctions policy.

    Cuban citizens expressed mixed reactions to the development. Many, like retiree Rosa Perez, welcomed the relief, stating, “We’ll welcome it with open arms. You have no idea how badly we need that oil.” Others were more skeptical. Raul Pomares, a gardener in Havana, called it “a drop in the bucket” and “a symbolic gesture that won’t have any real impact on the economy for ordinary Cubans.”

    Energy experts estimate the shipment will yield approximately 250,000 barrels of diesel upon refining, enough to meet national demand for just 12.5 days. Jorge Piñon, an energy sector specialist at the University of Texas at Austin, explained the government now faces a critical decision on allocating these limited resources between backup power generators and the transportation sector.

    The crisis intensified earlier this year after the U.S. captured Venezuela’s socialist leader Nicolás Maduro, depriving Cuba of its primary regional ally and oil supplier. The situation has triggered rare public protests over persistent shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials. As retiree Orlando Ocaña noted, the Russian aid is merely a “Band-Aid,” with the real solution lying in long-term infrastructure investment, such as building new thermoelectric power plants.

  • BPO guru touts intelligence-based outsourcing

    BPO guru touts intelligence-based outsourcing

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is strategically positioning itself at the intersection of human expertise and artificial intelligence to drive future growth and global competitiveness. According to Gloria Henry, Vice-President for BPO and Logistics at the Port Authority of Jamaica, the industry is transitioning toward “intelligence-based outsourcing” that synergizes technological capabilities with human talent.

    Speaking at the Montego Bay Free Zone Employment Creation Awards ceremony, Henry emphasized that AI should be viewed as an enhancer rather than a replacement for human workers. “AI by itself cannot deliver the results. Humans provide the direction, support, and data guidance necessary to achieve desired outcomes,” she stated, addressing concerns about automation displacing jobs.

    The integration of AI, Henry explained, enables workers to significantly boost productivity and efficiency. “They can work faster and produce more with the kind of support that AI can offer,” she noted, highlighting the transformative potential of human-machine collaboration in contact centers and BPO operations.

    Critical to this evolution is a national commitment to upskilling and training initiatives. Henry pointed to collaborative efforts with educational institutions like HEART/NSTA Trust through the Ministry of Education and Youth, though she acknowledged that deeper investment in training programs is still needed. Recent budgetary allocations signal governmental support for the sector’s continued expansion.

    Henry urged stakeholders to adopt a forward-looking perspective: “We shouldn’t be daunted by the integration of AI. We should embrace it to make our industry more productive, resilient, and globally competitive.”

    The awards ceremony celebrated companies driving employment growth within the free zone, with Unique Vacations receiving top honors for its exceptional performance during challenging periods. Company representative Leezo Wallace highlighted their achievement of maintaining the sector’s lowest retention rate (under 3%) while continuing hiring even during hurricane disruptions.

    The event also recognized the growing influence of women in BPO leadership, with Henry paying tribute to veteran leader Valarie Ives’ 41 years of service while noting the significant increase in female leadership since the 1990s.

  • Marriott girls celebrate with dad at bill payment, courier service launch in West Kingston

    Marriott girls celebrate with dad at bill payment, courier service launch in West Kingston

    In a heartwarming downtown Kingston ceremony, entrepreneur Ackeem Marriott officially inaugurated Marriott Couriers, his new venture into courier and financial services. The Saturday launch was attended by his two young daughters, Ayzia-Alaia (10) and Amira-Ali (6), who proudly wore branded t-shirts and shared celebratory embraces with their father.

    Marriott’s strategic decision to establish his business at 45 Spanish Town Road in West Kingston—near areas like Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens—defies conventional business wisdom. When questioned about his location choice, Marriott responds with a compelling counter-question: “Why not here?” He emphasizes that these essential services are critically underserved in the community despite daily demand. “When we introduced this concept, the community demonstrated 100 percent support. This addresses a long-standing need,” Marriott explained to Observer Online.

    The entrepreneur highlighted how his service eliminates the necessity for residents to travel to downtown Kingston, Cross Roads, or Three Miles for courier and bill payment services. “Now these conveniences are immediately accessible. The perception of violence has historically diverted business development from this area, but genuine opportunity exists here,” he asserted.

    Marriott’s entrepreneurial journey began during his high school years where he engaged in various small-scale commercial activities. “Entrepreneurship runs deeply in my family, both formally and informally. Growing up in that environment embedded business acumen within me—I marketed products at school and continually explored new ventures,” he recounted.

    Marriott Couriers offers comprehensive services including MoneyGram transfers, diverse financial solutions, and bill payment facilities. The company also enables online ordering with direct shipping to Jamaican addresses. “We aim to provide West Kingston with an extensive service portfolio and continue expanding our offerings,” Marriott stated.

    Reflecting on personal motivations, Marriott identified his daughters as his primary inspiration. “This achievement represents another realized dream. I aspire to demonstrate work ethics, perseverance, and the dedication required to attain success. If you nurture dreams from youth, you can actualize them through determination and hard work. This venture constitutes a significant milestone,” he concluded.

  • ‘Don’t know how I am going to stretch that’

    ‘Don’t know how I am going to stretch that’

    GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Heatha Miller-Bennett, has publicly addressed the significant challenges of managing competing community needs within her constituency’s limited financial framework. With a fixed annual allocation of $20 million from Jamaica’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the first-term MP explicitly acknowledged the impossibility of simultaneously addressing all local demands during a recent consultation meeting at Green Island High School.

    Miller-Bennett candidly described her role as an ‘uphill task,’ directly engaging with residents who highlighted critical issues including deteriorating road conditions, inconsistent water supply, inadequate street lighting, and inefficient garbage collection services. While assuring constituents that their concerns had been formally documented, she emphasized the necessity of strategic prioritization and sought public understanding regarding the phased implementation of projects.

    The parliamentary representative revealed plans to pursue collaborative partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to maximize the fund’s impact. ‘I will seek partnership to make it stretch in areas where we can,’ Miller-Bennett stated, indicating a proactive approach to resource optimization beyond the CDF’s baseline allocation.

    Orlando Grant, Project Officer for the CDF, provided technical insights into the fund’s operational mechanisms during the same meeting. He clarified that while financial caps exist, the fund regularly coordinates with ‘contributing arms’ like the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) to enhance project funding efficiency. Grant additionally disclosed that central government periodically supplements constituencies through special grants to address budgetary shortfalls, though this practice remains largely unpublicized.

    Established during the 2008/2009 financial year, Jamaica’s CDF system serves as an emergency mechanism for financing small-scale community projects that frequently experience delays within broader governmental bureaucracy. All 63 parliamentary representatives receive identical $20 million annual allocations for local infrastructural and social initiatives, with an additional $2 million specifically designated for vulnerable population support. All funds are administered through official agencies rather than direct MP control.

  • God ‘does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war’, says pope

    God ‘does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war’, says pope

    VATICAN CITY — In a powerful Palm Sunday homily at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a profound theological condemnation of warfare, declaring that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.” The pontiff’s remarks came amid ongoing multi-front conflicts across the Middle East that have dominated global attention.

    The first American pope characterized the divine nature as fundamentally opposed to armed conflict, stating, “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.” His message emphasized the incompatibility between religious devotion and military aggression.

    Following the traditional Angelus prayer, Pope Leo specifically acknowledged the plight of Middle Eastern Christians, noting they “suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days.” This recognition highlighted the particular challenges facing religious communities in conflict zones during Holy Week observances.

    The 70-year-old pontiff’s address built upon his earlier calls this week for an immediate ceasefire in the region, where he noted “more than a million people had been forced to flee their homes.” He has consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions, urging warring parties to engage in peaceful negotiations.

    Since the initiation of US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 that escalated regional tensions, Pope Leo has maintained a carefully measured diplomatic approach. While repeatedly condemning violence broadly, he has refrained from specifically naming any particular nation or party in his appeals for peace, demonstrating the Vatican’s cautious navigation of complex international geopolitics.

  • Harbour City Mall changing real estate landscape

    Harbour City Mall changing real estate landscape

    Montego Bay’s commercial landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, spearheaded by the innovative approaches implemented at Harbour City Mall just two years after its inauguration. This waterfront development is redefining property utilization through substantial investments in renewable energy and dual-purpose urban design.

    The mall’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its massive solar installation, recognized as the largest at any commercial center in St. James. The system comprises 2,000 panels delivering 1.3MW hours of power, supplemented by an additional 200-panel setup. According to CEO Shifu Huang, this significant investment in renewable energy reflects the long-term strategic vision behind Harbour City’s development and operational philosophy.

    Beyond its environmental initiatives, the property showcases innovative spatial design with its one-acre plaza that serves contrasting functions throughout the day. While accommodating heavy pedestrian traffic between retail establishments during daylight hours, the space undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis into an open-air entertainment venue after sunset. From 7:00 pm to midnight, the plaza hosts ‘Sunday Souls’ events featuring rotating popular DJs delivering soul-stirring music performances.

    The transformation addresses a significant gap in Montego Bay’s entertainment ecosystem, as major nighttime events have traditionally been absent from the city’s large shopping centers. Huang emphasized that the plaza was specifically designed with this dual functionality in mind, incorporating appropriate infrastructure and permits from the initial construction phase. The venue has previously accommodated Reggae Sumfest events, demonstrating its capacity for large-scale productions while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

    The development’s practical considerations include nearly 400 parking spaces—220 on a two-story rooftop facility and an additional 150 adjacent spaces—addressing one of the most frequent complaints about nightlife accessibility in Montego Bay.

    This innovative approach to commercial space utilization aligns with broader governmental initiatives. Culture Minister Olivia Grange recently indicated plans to designate specific entertainment zones across Jamaica, emphasizing the government’s intention to leverage existing infrastructure to enhance the profitability of the entertainment industry.

    Harbour City’s location within Montego Bay’s waterfront transformation corridor—stretching from Freeport to the Hip Strip—positions it as a key contributor to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s vision of creating a ‘seamless, world-class leisure, entertainment, and shopping corridor’ along this breathtaking Caribbean coastline.

    As Huang concluded, ‘Harbour City is a commercial property, but the ambition behind it goes further than that. Commerce, culture, and community all have a place here,’ signaling a holistic approach to urban development that merges economic, environmental, and social considerations.

  • Elderly woman found wandering in Yallahs, St Thomas

    Elderly woman found wandering in Yallahs, St Thomas

    Jamaican law enforcement officials have launched a public appeal to identify an elderly woman discovered disoriented in the Albion area of Yallahs, St. Thomas, this past Sunday. According to the Yallahs Police Station, the woman appears to be suffering from memory loss or cognitive impairment, rendering her unable to provide any identifiable information about herself or potential family members.

    The incident has raised concerns about vulnerable elderly populations and community support systems. Police describe the woman as having no personal documents or distinguishing items that might facilitate identification. Local authorities have implemented standard protective procedures, ensuring her immediate safety while investigations continue.

    This case highlights the critical role of community-police collaboration in addressing social welfare challenges. Law enforcement agencies have established multiple contact channels for information sharing, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable citizens. The Yallahs Police Station can be reached directly at 876-982-7366, while alternative reporting options include the national emergency number 119 or any local police precinct.

    Social services organizations have been notified to provide specialized assistance if needed. The search continues as authorities work to determine whether the woman is a local resident or potentially displaced from another parish, examining recent missing person reports across the island.

  • SPARK project ignites Greenwood residents’ fury

    SPARK project ignites Greenwood residents’ fury

    Residents of the Greenwood community, straddling the border of St James and Trelawny parishes in Jamaica, are confronting severe infrastructural and environmental challenges stemming from a protracted road rehabilitation initiative. The project, executed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) under the government’s SPARK program (Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network), has instead become a source of profound distress for the local population.

    Returning residents who invested in the area are now questioning their decisions. Denise Wray Burns lamented the state of the neighborhood, describing it as ‘a mess’ and a ‘ghetto,’ a stark contrast to the peaceful residential environment she anticipated. The core of the grievance lies with the storage of heavy machinery and construction materials directly within the residential zone, leading to constant noise, pervasive dust, and further degradation of the already poor roadways from the movement of heavy trucks.

    The ramifications extend beyond mere inconvenience. Sheldon Gayle, a local educator, reported a discernible drop in school enrolment, attributing it to parents’ refusal to navigate the hazardous road conditions. The health impact is equally alarming; villa operator Christopher Smith detailed employees requiring medical leave due to respiratory issues exacerbated by the incessant dust. His wife, Christy, highlighted the damage to Jamaica’s tourism reputation, noting that international and celebrity guests are given a negative first impression, often needing to take detours to avoid the dangerous potholes.

    While the roadwork is a recent development, residents like Donnette Hill, a 30-year community veteran, assert that underlying issues like illegal dumping are long-standing grievances that have been ignored for years. The collective frustration has been directed at local officials, including Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon and Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett, demanding immediate intervention.

    In response, Councillor Anthony Murray for the Rose Hall Division acknowledged the legitimacy of the concerns but framed them as temporary setbacks. He attributed the significant delay primarily to Hurricane Melissa from October of the previous year, which complicated the final 15% of the project—a section below sea level requiring a meticulously designed drainage system to channel rainwater to the sea. Murray assured that the municipal corporation is investigating the complaint regarding CHEC’s equipment storage within the community.

  • ‘Project Hail Mary’ tops North America box office for second week

    ‘Project Hail Mary’ tops North America box office for second week

    LOS ANGELES — Ryan Gosling’s interstellar adventure ‘Project Hail Mary’ continues its impressive box office trajectory, securing the top position in North American theaters for the second consecutive weekend. The Amazon MGM production garnered an estimated $54.5 million in ticket sales, demonstrating strong audience retention following its successful debut.

    Adapted from Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, the film features Gosling as a science educator unexpectedly transformed into an astronaut tasked with preventing a catastrophic solar event that threatens Earth’s survival. The project marks another successful literary adaptation for Weir, whose previous work ‘The Martian’ achieved both critical and commercial success in 2015.

    Disney-Pixar’s animated feature ‘Hoppers’ maintained its second-place position with $12.2 million in earnings. The innovative film explores themes of environmental conservation through its protagonist, a wildlife enthusiast who utilizes advanced technology to inhabit a robotic beaver form for enhanced animal communication.

    The weekend’s notable newcomer, Warner Bros.’ horror-comedy ‘They Will Kill You,’ debuted in third position with $5 million. Featuring Zazie Beetz, Tom Felton, and Patricia Arquette, the film follows a hotel employee investigating mysterious disappearances in a New York establishment. Industry analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research noted the film’s respectable performance given its moderate production budget and genre expectations.

    Completing the top five were Hindi-language thriller ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ ($4.75 million) and Universal’s romantic drama ‘Reminders of Him’ ($4.7 million). The former, which continues the story of an Indian intelligence operative infiltrating Pakistani criminal organizations, has generated international controversy resulting in its prohibition across certain territories.

    The weekend’s remaining top performers included ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ ($4M), ‘Scream 7’ ($2.6M), ‘GOAT’ ($2.2M), ‘Undertone’ ($1.65M), and ‘Forbidden Fruits’ ($1.2M), illustrating diverse audience preferences across multiple genres.