标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Scotia Insurance has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and community wellness by returning as gold sponsor for the fifth annual Swim for the Sanctuary event, scheduled for this Saturday at White River House, Shaw Park Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

The open-water swimming event, which serves as a critical fundraiser for the White River Fish Sanctuary, will commence at 7:00 am after being rescheduled from its original November 1 date due to Hurricane Melissa. Scotia Insurance President Debra Lopez Spence will be in attendance to present awards to the largest participating swim club, while volunteers from Scotia Insurance, Scotiabank, and the Scotia Foundation will provide operational support including marshalling duties.

In an official statement, Lopez Spence emphasized the strategic alignment between the insurer’s health philosophy and the event’s objectives. ‘At Scotia Insurance, we fundamentally believe that good health stems from intentional choices—maintaining physical activity, managing stress, and establishing balance,’ she stated. ‘This swim event powerfully demonstrates the interconnection between physical exertion, mental well-being, and aquatic environments, all of which contribute substantively to overall wellness.’

Lopez Spence further highlighted the dual significance of the initiative, noting that ‘protecting marine resources remains essential for livelihoods, food security, and sustainable development in coastal communities.’

Belinda Collier-Morrow, board member of the White River Fish Sanctuary, acknowledged the indispensability of corporate partnerships, stating: ‘Ongoing support from organizations like Scotia Insurance proves vital to the event’s continued success and sustainability. Their involvement not only advances protection efforts for the sanctuary but also reinforces the values of healthy living, community engagement, and responsible environmental stewardship.’

Now firmly established on Jamaica’s open-water swimming calendar, Swim for the Sanctuary attracts both competitive athletes and recreational participants united in their support for marine conservation and the development of Jamaica’s blue economy. The initiative has consistently raised public awareness about coastal ecosystem preservation while simultaneously promoting active lifestyles.

All generated proceeds will be directed exclusively toward conservation and management operations at the White River Fish Sanctuary, which plays a crucial role in rehabilitating fish populations and supporting sustainable practices within coastal communities.

In an extraordinary display of agricultural resilience, Jamaica’s farming sector has achieved a substantial crop surplus less than three months after the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green announced this rapid recovery during a press briefing, highlighting significant overproduction of key vegetables including cucumbers, lettuce, pak choi, and string beans across multiple parishes.

The Category 5 hurricane, which struck on October 28, 2025, initially caused catastrophic damage estimated between $30-60 billion, affecting over 70,000 farmers and devastating crops, livestock, and irrigation infrastructure. Despite this destruction, strategic government interventions totaling approximately $70 million in direct support have catalyzed an impressive rebound.

Minister Green credited this recovery to multiple factors: the indomitable spirit of Jamaican farmers, comprehensive post-hurricane assistance programs, and significant policy adaptations. Support measures included a $40 million lease moratorium benefiting 440 investors across 2,750 hectares, distribution of seeds and fertilizers, extensive land preparation covering hundreds of acres, and critical infrastructure repairs including 10 kilometers of drainage systems.

Parish-specific production data reveals substantial surpluses: Clarendon leads with excess sweet potatoes and peppers, St. Elizabeth dominates squash and cauliflower production, while Manchester, Westmoreland, St. Anne, and St. Thomas all report significant vegetable gluts. This agricultural abundance has already translated into consumer benefits, with market prices plummeting between 14-77% across various produce items.

However, the recovery presents new challenges. Diminished demand from the hurricane-affected hospitality sector, operating at 30-80% capacity depending on the crop, has created market imbalances. Supply chain constraints, particularly limited cold storage capacity exacerbated by power disruptions, have further complicated surplus management.

To address these issues, the ministry is implementing a multi-faceted response: organizing island-wide farmers’ markets through RADA and JAS, developing agri-processing initiatives for value-added products, and finalizing a COVID-style buyback program for direct produce redistribution. Infrastructure enhancements include new renewable-powered storage containers in Flagaman and the upcoming Essex Valley Storage Facility with capacity for 22 container loads of fresh produce.

Minister Green emphasized the government’s commitment to building long-term resilience: ‘The lessons of Hurricane Melissa are being applied deliberately—from catastrophe funds and insurance to diversified markets and stronger infrastructure. We remain engaged, present and accountable to our farming communities as we drive this recovery together.’

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Demonstrating remarkable solidarity, the Chinese community in Montego Bay has contributed a substantial $1 million donation to St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten School to support recovery initiatives after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact. This philanthropic gesture represents a significant component of broader island-wide humanitarian efforts organized by the Chinese community, which has been actively providing financial aid, essential supplies, and various forms of assistance to educational institutions, organizations, and vulnerable populations throughout St James and western Jamaica following the catastrophic storm.

Situated in Montpelier, St James, St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten endured some of the most severe damage from Hurricane Melissa, sustaining extensive structural harm to its facilities, including destroyed classrooms, educational materials, and critical equipment. The institution faced additional setbacks due to post-hurricane looting, further exacerbating its already dire circumstances.

The allocated funds will facilitate crucial restoration projects, encompassing repairs to compromised buildings, replacement of educational resources, and the rehabilitation of a secure and conducive learning atmosphere for students.

Principal Dr. Anthony Taylor, speaking on behalf of the school community, conveyed profound gratitude for the timely support. ‘This extraordinary generosity arrived at precisely the moment when our school and families most needed hope,’ Dr. Taylor stated in an official school release. ‘The Chinese community has demonstrated that recovery transcends physical reconstruction—it involves restoring dignity, opportunity, and our children’s future.’

Dr. Taylor further detailed the school’s commitment to transparent fund allocation, ensuring accountability and optimal utilization throughout the rebuilding process.

Ziping Chen, representing the Chinese community, emphasized that the contribution reflects their organization’s dedication to reciprocating the support of their host community. ‘The Chinese community remains steadfast in its commitment to serving, rebuilding, and supporting Jamaica with compassion, dignity, and resilience,’ Chen affirmed.

Dr. Taylor also acknowledged Javin Baker, councillor for the Cambridge Division, for his ongoing support during recovery operations and encouraged additional corporate and civic entities to join the reconstruction initiative.

The Chinese community in Montego Bay has established a longstanding reputation for its active participation in national development and disaster response efforts. Their hurricane relief activities have included monetary donations, construction materials, food provisions, and other vital supplies to educational institutions, community organizations, and charitable entities across St James and other affected regions.

Community leaders have praised this latest donation as an exemplary model of unity and collective responsibility. As St Mary’s Preparatory and Kindergarten progresses toward complete restoration, this contribution stands as a symbol of hope and a powerful testament to the efficacy of goodwill, collaboration, and community solidarity.

Jamaica’s innovative approach to combating agricultural crime has yielded unprecedented judicial results, with convictions for praedial larceny skyrocketing by over 2,000% in 2025. The establishment of the Agricultural Protection Branch within the Jamaica Constabulary Force has fundamentally transformed the nation’s response to farm theft, creating a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated exclusively to protecting the agricultural sector.

Official statistics released by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green reveal a dramatic escalation in enforcement effectiveness. Convictions jumped from a mere nine cases in 2024 to 209 in 2025, while arrests nearly tripled from 139 in 2024 to 381 in 2025. The judicial system has responded with increased activity, with cases before the courts surging by 68% from 201 to 337 annually.

Minister Green characterized these developments as a “breakthrough in judicial success and offender accountability,” stating that the nation is “on the road to break the back of praedial larceny.” The 75-officer specialized branch represents the first comprehensive police unit focused entirely on agricultural crime, operating with island-wide coverage.

Complementing these enforcement measures, legislative reforms enacted in July 2025 significantly strengthened the legal framework. Amendments to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act introduced heightened penalties and implemented victim impact statements, empowering farmers with formal representation during court proceedings. These changes built upon earlier enhancements to the Agricultural Produce Act in 2023, which increased fines to $3 million, broadened the definition of agricultural produce, and established mandatory registration and licensing protocols.

The government is now advancing traceability initiatives as the next phase in its anti-theft strategy. Minister Green emphasized the critical importance of animal tagging services and movement controls, noting expanded efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s central livestock database through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. This integrated approach combining specialized policing, legislative strengthening, and technological solutions represents a comprehensive model for addressing agricultural crime in developing economies.

A routine departure from an Air Canada Rouge flight transformed into a harrowing rescue operation on December 13th after passengers aboard Flight 1502 heard desperate cries for help emanating from beneath their seats. The source of the distress was a baggage handler who had become trapped inside the aircraft’s cargo hold as the plane began its journey towards the runway.

According to passenger accounts provided to CBC News, individuals seated near the rear of the plane first detected unusual noises during the initial stages of takeoff. Stephanie Cure, a traveler on the flight, described the sounds as ‘muffled cries,’ noting that the atmosphere in the cabin grew tense as fellow passengers became aware of the alarming situation. ‘You can hear some muffled, like someone yelling for help,’ Cure recounted.

The alert was raised with the flight crew, prompting an immediate halt to the departure procedures. Passengers observed crew members gathering around the exterior of the aircraft to investigate the source of the commotion, initially unaware of the grave circumstances. Emergency protocols were swiftly enacted, leading to the successful extraction of the ground crew employee from the cargo compartment.

In a gesture of transparency and reassurance, the rescued worker was escorted into the passenger cabin to demonstrate that he had emerged from the incident without physical injury. Following the emergency, the aircraft returned to the terminal gate where all passengers disembarked. After a delay of several hours, the airline ultimately made the decision to cancel the flight entirely.

Air Canada has officially confirmed the incident in a released statement, identifying the individual as a member of their ground crew and confirming that a comprehensive investigation into the safety breach is currently underway. The event has raised significant questions regarding airport safety protocols and communication procedures between flight decks and ground operations teams.