标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant demonstration of solidarity, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has announced that revenue generated from ticket sales at the upcoming GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships will be allocated to support educational institutions in western Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

ISSA President Keith Wellington unveiled this philanthropic initiative during the official media launch event for the championships, held Wednesday at the National Arena. The decision directly responds to the severe challenges faced by schools in the western region, where hurricane impacts in October 2025 substantially disrupted academic and athletic programs.

Specifically, proceeds from the sale of 10,000 bleacher seats at the National Stadium during the highly anticipated 100-meter finals on March 25 will constitute the donation pool. Wellington emphasized the remarkable commitment shown by western Jamaican schools that have persevered with championship preparations despite facing considerable adversity following the natural disaster.

The upcoming 115th edition of the championships, scheduled for March 24-28, will feature defending champions Kingston College (boys’ title) and Hydel High (girls’ title) among the competing institutions.

Separately, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association President Garth Gayle, who also attended the launch, highlighted the importance of the championships as a critical qualifying platform for upcoming international events including the Carifta Games and the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, anticipating exceptionally strong performances from the student-athletes.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a vibrant celebration aligning with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, Sagicor Bank transformed the scenic White Witch Golf Club in Rose Hall into a tribute to female agricultural pioneers. The event, themed ‘From Her Farm To Your Table,’ served as both a festive gathering and a powerful platform to recognize the women who form the backbone of the global food supply chain.

The brunch was an immersive experience, meticulously crafted with artisanal decor from Pussbackfoot featuring signature straw-woven pieces and culinary displays. The gastronomic journey showcased the expertise of chef Oji Jaja from Ashebre, who masterfully incorporated produce from female-led Halifax Farms, including delicate micro greens and edible flowers cultivated by CEO Janice Dacres-Jones.

Female clients enjoyed an array of activities including cocktail sampling, miniature golf, body butter crafting, and treasure hunts, fostering both recreation and community bonding. Sagicor Bank CEO Chorvelle Johnson-Cunningham opened the proceedings by encouraging attendees to initiate backyard gardening projects while honoring the resilience of women farmers in sustainable development.

Daidre Sloley-McKay, Vice President of Group Marketing at Sagicor, emphasized the dual purpose of the event: “We’re delighted to celebrate with our clients while spotlighting the women who nourish our nation. This gathering demonstrates our collective commitment to mutual empowerment.”

Honoree Janice Dacres-Jones expressed gratitude for the recognition while highlighting systemic challenges: “This acknowledgment is profoundly meaningful, but we must advance further with improved financing access and land rights for female farmers. When afforded opportunities, women excel at innovation and problem-solving in agriculture.”

Dacres-Jones also addressed critical industry challenges: “Climate change, hurricanes, and external factors threaten food security. Our future depends on integrating technology to mitigate impacts, accelerate recovery, and protect our farmers.”

The culinary program featured locally sourced ingredients including pan chicken, roasted snapper, pimento-smoked crispy pork belly, and jerk barbecue crispy cauliflower. Chef Jaja explained his philosophy: “We intentionally prioritized local sourcing from female farmers to align with the event’s mission. The micro greens and edible flowers allowed us to enhance multiple dishes with both visual appeal and nutritional value.”

Despite weather-related adjustments, the event concluded successfully with guests celebrating through dance, symbolizing the joyful solidarity among Jamaica’s professional women and agricultural innovators.

MEXICO CITY — Mexican education authorities are actively developing regulatory proposals to restrict social media access for minors, mirroring Australia’s stringent approach to digital child protection. Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado confirmed to AFP that the government has initiated comprehensive consultations with civil society groups, targeting June for formal proposal development.

This move aligns with a growing international trend where nations including France, Britain, Spain, Denmark, India, Indonesia, and Portugal are implementing or considering similar age-based social media restrictions. Australia’s December 2023 mandate requires major platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to remove under-16 accounts under threat of substantial penalties, while France recently approved legislation banning social media for under-15s.

Delgado emphasized the state’s fundamental responsibility in minor protection and education, stating: “What Meta, Facebook and TikTok are interested in is having followers, and there are no filters on content that could affect children’s emotional health.” He specifically cited concerns about minors’ exposure to violent material, pornography, and cyberbullying through unrestricted platform access.

However, the secretary stressed that effective regulation must originate “from the grassroots, from the lived experiences of parents, different communities and teachers” rather than top-down imposition. The consultation process aims to establish boundaries through collaborative input rather than prohibition, with tech companies also participating in discussions to foster “responsible, critical and conscious” digital citizenship.

Australian officials report their restrictions have already yielded positive outcomes including reduced cyberbullying incidents and improved student concentration in educational settings. While Delgado expressed personal approval of Australia’s model and acknowledged the parental challenges of limiting social media use, Mexico currently isn’t considering Brazil-style classroom smartphone bans that prohibit non-emergency device use in schools.

The high-profile Klansman Gang trial faced a significant procedural delay on Wednesday as conflicting commitments within the defense team representing accused Shawn Pottinger necessitated a two-day adjournment. Justice Dale Palmer ordered the recess to enable a newly constituted legal team to adequately prepare for Pottinger’s defense, emphasizing the court’s commitment to ensuring fair representation.

Originally represented by attorneys Donovan Collins and Aston Spencer since February, Pottinger had effectively been represented solely by attorney Petreta Gabbidon throughout most proceedings. The court learned Monday that Collins and Spencer sought to withdraw due to overlapping commitments with another murder trial in St. James parish, prompting the judge to halt proceedings rather than risk inadequate representation.

During Wednesday’s session, Spencer explained to the court that their prior murder case—which predated the gang trial—had experienced multiple delays, including allegations that their client suffered injuries while in police custody. Both Spencer and Collins (appearing via Zoom) offered apologies to Justice Palmer for their absence, acknowledging the logistical challenges that prevented their consistent participation.

Justice Palmer granted the attorneys’ withdrawal request while underscoring the necessity of the adjournment: ‘While none of the witnesses so far directly dealt with counts specifically relating to Mr. Pottinger, all evidence can potentially affect everyone.’ The judge noted that despite Pottinger’s willingness to proceed without delay, the court prioritized ensuring his new counsel—Gabbidon and Lynden Wellesley—receive comprehensive case briefs and adequate preparation time.

Two prosecution witnesses scheduled to testify Wednesday were bound over to appear Monday when the trial resumes. Pottinger faces charges including criminal organization membership (count two) and multiple counts of murder and aggravated robbery (counts 30-31) alongside 24 co-accused.