标签: Jamaica

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  • Tasty Bites @ Footeprints Hotel Negril

    Tasty Bites @ Footeprints Hotel Negril

    Nestled along Jamaica’s iconic coastline, the town of Negril reveals its treasures not through grandeur, but through gradual immersion into its unique rhythm of life. This seaside paradise has mastered the art of understated elegance, where luxury manifests in ocean breezes, panoramic views, and the freedom of authentic existence.

    At the heart of this experience stands Footeprints Hotel, a 32-room beachfront sanctuary that embodies Negril’s philosophy through culinary excellence and genuine Jamaican hospitality. The property, named after the founding Foote family, transforms the conventional hotel stay into a familial journey, with each space bearing the name of family members and extending that warmth to every guest.

    The culinary landscape at Footeprints represents a masterclass in diverse dining experiences. Gatsby’s Restaurant elevates island flavors through contemporary Caribbean cuisine, where Executive Chef Shawn Sawyers—a 16-year veteran with pastry expertise and visual arts background—orchestrates a fusion of local and international dishes. His culinary canvas spans Asian, Jamaican, Indian, and Mexican influences, featuring standout creations like Westmoreland curry goat and lobster.

    For toes-in-the-sand relaxation, Blushy’s Beach Bar offers fresh seafood and vibrant cocktails crafted to complement the rhythm of the waves. Meanwhile, Finkel’s Eatery provides laid-back dining without compromising quality, satisfying cravings with effortless elegance.

    General Manager Ramoy McFarlane emphasizes the property’s commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond dining: ‘We welcome guests into our family, offering amenities like the skywalk with breathtaking views and the infinity pool. Ultimately, we want Footeprints synonymous with exceptional food, wine, and music.’

    The beverage program showcases mixologist Andrumar Mendez’s artistry through signature cocktails like the Tipsy Daze—a sophisticated blend of overproof white rum, vodka, coconut rum, and tropical juices—and the visually stunning Blue Hawaiian. Each drink reflects the vibrant spirit of Jamaican mixology.

    From gourmet pizzas with jerk chicken toppings to signature lobster rolls and breakfast burritos featuring callaloo and bacon, the culinary team demonstrates relentless innovation. Even traditional desserts like bread pudding with vanilla ice cream receive transformative treatment, embodying Chef Sawyers’ philosophy: ‘We have no limits—wherever inspiration comes from, we’ll tweak it and add it to our canvas.’

    Footeprints stands as a testament to Negril’s evolving narrative—a destination where luxury isn’t announced but discovered, where every meal tells a story, and where the footprints left behind are those of culinary excellence and genuine human connection.

  • St James police aim for below 50 murders this year

    St James police aim for below 50 murders this year

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a landmark announcement following consecutive years of declining homicide rates, the St James Police Division has established an ambitious new internal objective: reducing annual murders below 50 by 2026. The revelation came from Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, divisional commander for the parish, during his monthly address to the St James Municipal Corporation on Thursday.

    Samuels presented compelling data demonstrating extraordinary progress in crime reduction throughout 2025. The division recorded just 58 murders compared to 125 in 2024—representing a dramatic 54 percent decrease. This achievement surpassed their initial target of maintaining murders below 100 for the year.

    “Our team in St James demonstrates unwavering commitment to establishing and meeting progressively ambitious targets,” Samuels stated. “We have now set a personal internal benchmark of fewer than 50 murders, and we are determined to maintain this standard.”

    The comprehensive crime statistics revealed improvements across multiple categories. Shooting incidents dropped by 44 percent, with 62 cases reported compared to 111 the previous year. Overall serious crimes decreased by 19 percent division-wide, signaling broad-based improvement in public safety.

    While acknowledging ongoing challenges with robbery offenses, particularly within urban areas, Samuels highlighted significant progress through coordinated law enforcement actions. “We have made substantial headway in addressing robbery concerns, with multiple suspects currently in custody and undergoing judicial proceedings,” he explained. Notably, many individuals involved in criminal activities across Jamaica are now detained not only in St James but throughout various divisions.

    This coordinated approach yielded particularly impressive results during the recent holiday season, traditionally a period of elevated criminal activity. “The Christmas period recorded remarkably low robbery numbers—an unprecedented achievement for our division,” Samuels emphasized.

    The commander extended gratitude to partner agencies whose collaboration contributed to these outcomes. “Our interagency partnerships throughout the year were instrumental in achieving the success we now witness,” he acknowledged, expressing satisfaction with the collective results emerging from these coordinated efforts.

  • Global economy shows resilience, but risks loom–UN

    Global economy shows resilience, but risks loom–UN

    The United Nations has projected that the global economy will expand by 2.7 percent in 2026, maintaining a pace slightly below 2025 levels and significantly under pre-pandemic performance averages. This outlook, detailed in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report released Wednesday, points to persistent headwinds from escalating trade conflicts, unsustainable debt burdens, and chronically weak investment.

    While acknowledging that receding inflation and a shift toward accommodative monetary policies provided some support in 2025—even amidst sharp increases in U.S. tariffs—the report underscores deeper structural vulnerabilities. These include severely constrained fiscal space across nations and persistently subdued investment, which threaten to trap the world economy in an extended phase of sluggish expansion.

    Global trade dynamics showed unexpected vigor in 2025, growing at 3.8 percent, fueled by anticipatory shipments and robust services exchange. However, this momentum is forecast to decelerate markedly to 2.2 percent in 2026 as the cumulative effects of protective tariffs and pervasive policy uncertainty intensify.

    Regionally, Latin America and the Caribbean are anticipated to see economic growth of 2.3 percent in 2026, a marginal dip from the previous year. The UN attributes this to tempered consumer demand and only a gradual pickup in investment, with significant risks posed by elevated debt, inflexible fiscal positions, and susceptibility to external disruptions.

    Inflationary pressures are receding on a global scale, with headline inflation expected to decline to 3.1 percent in 2026 from 3.4 percent in 2025. Despite this moderation, the UN emphasized that the high cost of essential goods continues to severely undermine purchasing power, particularly within developing economies where expenses for food, energy, and transport remain disproportionately high.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the transformative impact of intersecting economic, geopolitical, and technological tensions, which are deepening uncertainty and exacerbating social strains. He noted with concern that numerous developing nations remain off course to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

    The analysis further warned of risks associated with mounting debt obligations and potential financial market instability, including overvalued asset prices in artificial intelligence-linked sectors that may exacerbate both international and domestic inequalities.

    In response, the UN issued a strong call for revitalized multilateral collaboration, urging enhanced government coordination on trade frameworks, comprehensive debt relief initiatives, and scalable climate finance. The report endorsed the Sevilla Commitment—forged at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development—as a vital blueprint for overhauling the international financial architecture and improving access to development and climate funding, a critical need for small and vulnerable economies such as those in the Caribbean.

  • Venezuela releasing ‘large number’ of prisoners — top lawmaker

    Venezuela releasing ‘large number’ of prisoners — top lawmaker

    CARACAS, Venezuela — In a significant development following the ouster of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan authorities have commenced a substantial prisoner release initiative. Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodriguez announced on Thursday that the government is executing the immediate liberation of a “large number” of detainees, comprising both Venezuelan citizens and foreign nationals.

    This action, described by Rodriguez as a “unilateral gesture,” marks the first observable concession from Venezuela’s interim government since U.S. forces removed Maduro from power five days prior. The former leader was apprehended by American forces and transported to New York to stand trial, prompting the Trump administration to declare itself “in charge” of Venezuelan affairs.

    While Rodriguez declined to specify the exact number of prisoners being freed, independent monitoring provides context to the scale of detention. The non-governmental organization Foro Penal documents 806 individuals currently held as political prisoners in Venezuela, including 175 military personnel affected by the nation’s political turmoil.

    The prisoner release coincides with claims from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated on Tuesday that Venezuelan authorities were dismantling a “torture chamber located in central Caracas.” The President provided no additional details regarding this alleged facility, leaving international observers to speculate about its nature and operations.

    This coordinated prisoner release represents a tangible policy shift following the dramatic change in Venezuela’s leadership, suggesting potential moves toward reconciliation and judicial reform in the post-Maduro era.

  • No angels died in St Toolies

    No angels died in St Toolies

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Tensions between community reassurance and police accountability emerged in Porus following a deadly security operation that resulted in four fatalities. Manchester’s commanding officer, Superintendent Carey Duncan, addressed residents of St. Toolies during a community walk-through on Tuesday, defending police actions that occurred the previous day.

    Superintendent Duncan asserted that police only employ lethal force when confronted with direct threats, stating: “Our responses are consistently proportional to threats directed against us. When perpetrators receive clear instructions to surrender their weapons and instead aim firearms at officers, we respond with equivalent force.” He emphasized that innocent bystanders not posing threats would not have been harmed during Monday’s operation.

    The confrontation claimed the lives of three local men—23-year-old Byron McDonald, 26-year-old Teshawn Porteous, and 19-year-old Rasheed Johnson. Police reported a fourth unidentified individual attempted to flee the scene during an alleged exchange of gunfire before being fatally shot in the neighboring Toll Gate area. This incident brings Jamaica’s security forces-involved fatalities to twelve for the current year, with authorities confirming the seizure of a firearm from the scene.

    While relatives of the deceased had protested the shootings, many St. Toolies residents expressed support for the police presence. Community members praised law enforcement efforts and requested sustained patrols, particularly near the St. Toolies River area where criminal activity has been reported.

    Superintendent Duncan advised residents to remain vigilant against migrant criminals, urging community cooperation: “St. Toolies is traditionally close-knit and family-oriented. If strangers enter your community, we implore you to notify us for proper vetting. Not every newcomer poses a threat, but some do require scrutiny.”

    In response to community concerns, Duncan committed to maintaining consistent police patrols, clarifying that Monday’s operation was “strictly intelligence-driven” based on nationwide intelligence gathering rather than reflecting negatively on the community itself.

    Councillor Claudia Morant Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) endorsed the police approach, thanking authorities for enabling residents to “sleep in peace” knowing problematic elements had been removed from the community.

    The superintendent ruled out imposing curfews unless intelligence indicates impending violence, while also addressing illegal transportation methods. He specifically condemned the dangerous practice of unregulated motorcycle taxis transporting multiple passengers without helmets, emphasizing that such operations would never receive legal authorization.

    Police and local officials conducted a thorough assessment of the shooting location during Tuesday’s engagement, seeking to balance community security concerns with appropriate law enforcement practices.

  • Education Ministry announces several changes to CXC, national exams

    Education Ministry announces several changes to CXC, national exams

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Ministry of Education has unveiled comprehensive modifications to its national and regional examination framework for the 2025-2026 academic period. The Category 5 hurricane, which made landfall on October 28, 2025, precipitated widespread displacement of students and educators, prolonged educational interruptions, and inflicted significant psychological distress across affected communities.

    The ministry’s newly released bulletin emphasizes its commitment to maintaining assessment integrity while implementing responsive measures that acknowledge the extraordinary challenges facing educational institutions. “Our revised examination administration prioritizes fairness and sensitivity to the realities confronting our schools and communities,” the ministry stated.

    At the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) level, institutions spared from the hurricane’s direct impact will proceed with standard Papers 1 and 2 administration, supplemented by concessions for school-based assessments (SBAs), waived late fees, and optional deferral provisions. Severely affected parishes will receive additional accommodations, including the option to complete only Paper 1 with equivalent SBA concessions and fee exemptions.

    National assessments undergo significant adjustments: The Grade Two Diagnostic Test will be suspended until 2026-2027, though teachers will receive alternative diagnostic tools for school-based evaluation. Similarly, the Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT) will be paused for 2026, with regional education officers overseeing student reintegration into formal education systems.

    The ministry has extended registration deadlines for June 2026 City & Guilds examinations in Mathematics Skills (#3850), English Skills (#3850), and Customer Service (#8992), moving the cutoff to February 27, 2026. Speaking and Listening assessments will expand from one to three weeks, with results submission extended into July 2026 and a three-week resit window introduced. Final results will publish on August 28, 2026.

    To support academic recovery, the government will distribute complimentary Mathematics and English workbooks (stages one-three) and Customer Service materials (level one) to severely impacted regions by January 2026. Digital resources will be available nationwide, complemented by virtual capacity-building sessions for educators and students.

    An emergency November 2026 examination series will provide additional opportunities, featuring extended registration through August 31, 2026, and results publication scheduled for February 25, 2027. The 2025 National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica examinations have been postponed indefinitely.

    Financial support includes a $197.66 million fee reduction package for students in hardest-hit parishes, supplementing existing government subsidies through funding from the Overseas Examinations Commission.

  • AI, outdated visuals fuel misinformation after Maduro capture

    AI, outdated visuals fuel misinformation after Maduro capture

    WASHINGTON, DC — In the aftermath of the dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces, social media platforms have become inundated with sophisticated visual disinformation, blurring the boundaries between reality and fabrication. The digital landscape has been flooded with artificially generated and repurposed imagery that has collectively garnered millions of engagements, signaling a new era of AI-powered misinformation.

    Fact-checkers from AFP identified numerous deceptive posts circulating on major platforms including X and Facebook shortly after the operation. One widely-shared image purported to show Maduro in US custody, flanked by American military personnel near an aircraft. However, investigation revealed the photograph was entirely AI-generated, featuring a noticeably younger-looking Maduro. Google’s Gemini AI tool detected a SynthID watermark, confirming its artificial origins.

    Another viral image depicted an American soldier posing with a hooded Maduro, but digital archivists confirmed this was actually footage from the 2003 capture of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, repurposed two decades later to mislead contemporary audiences.

    Disinformation monitoring service NewsGuard reported identifying seven fabricated or misrepresented visual materials related to the Venezuela operation that accumulated over 14 million views within 48 hours on X alone. This phenomenon represents what analysts term ‘AI slop’ – mass-produced synthetic content created through inexpensive AI tools that transform simple text prompts into photorealistic imagery.

    Chiara Vercellone, senior analyst at NewsGuard, noted: ‘While many of these visuals don’t radically distort factual circumstances, they represent another weapon in the misinformer’s arsenal that proves increasingly difficult for fact-checkers to debunk due to their approximation of reality.’

    The disinformation wave extended to highest levels of political influence, with former President Donald Trump amplifying a viral video on his Truth Social platform claiming to show Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s capture by running through streets in their underwear. AFP’s verification team traced this footage to UCLA’s quarterly ‘Undie Run’ tradition among college students, recorded weeks before the Venezuela operation.

    Adding to the confusion, humorous AI-generated clips circulated alongside legitimate news coverage, including one depicting Maduro and Trump dancing together in the Oval Office and another showing the ousted leader posing with prisoners in orange jumpsuits.

    The developments occur amid serious geopolitical proceedings, with Maduro pleading not guilty to drug trafficking and ‘narco-terrorism’ charges in a New York courtroom on Monday. Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez asserted that no foreign power governs her nation, responding to Trump’s statement that Washington would ‘run’ Venezuela during transition period.

  • Respected former principal of Carron Hall High in St Mary has died

    Respected former principal of Carron Hall High in St Mary has died

    The Jamaican educational community is mourning the passing of distinguished educator Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose remarkable 36-year career left an indelible mark on Carron Hall High School in St. Mary. The former principal, who dedicated her professional life to the institution from 1977 until her retirement in 2013, passed away on January 3, 2026, following an extended period of illness.

    Current principal Carlinton Johnson announced the loss through an emotional tribute on the school’s official Facebook platform, commemorating Dawes’ extraordinary contributions to educational development in western St. Mary. During her transformative eighteen-year leadership tenure from 1995 to 2013, Dawes engineered the institution’s evolution from the formerly designated Carron Hall Vocational School—an all-girls establishment—into a progressive co-educational facility that expanded opportunities for countless students.

    Beyond her administrative accomplishments, Dawes received national recognition as a 2002 finalist for the prestigious Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award, highlighting her exceptional pedagogical approach and dedication to student development. Her community engagement extended into the judicial sphere through her service as a St. Mary justice of the peace, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to social advancement.

    The digital memorial space has become flooded with heartfelt remembrances from former students and colleagues, painting a portrait of an educator who possessed extraordinary belief in her pupils’ potential. Testimonials consistently highlight her unique ability to recognize and nurture talent in young learners, with many attributing their subsequent professional and personal achievements to her inspirational guidance and unwavering support. The overwhelming response underscores the profound personal connections she fostered throughout her decades of educational service, establishing a legacy that continues to resonate across generations of Jamaican students.

  • Yanique Taylor Wellington given nod as Indecom deputy commissioner

    Yanique Taylor Wellington given nod as Indecom deputy commissioner

    Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has announced the appointment of Yanique Taylor Wellington as its new deputy commissioner, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell who held the operational leadership role from 2013 through December 2025.

    Taylor Wellington assumes comprehensive operational responsibilities previously managed by Campbell, bringing substantial institutional expertise to the position. Her distinguished tenure at Indecom includes serving as Director of Complaints since January 2022 and previously as Senior Legal Officer. The legally-trained professional represented the commission during the critical West Kingston Commission of Enquiry in 2015 and notably argued before the UK Privy Council in the landmark Dane Lewin vs Albert Diah case, which resulted in a pivotal ruling affirming Indecom’s authority and reinforcing police accountability mechanisms. Prior to joining Indecom, she served as a senior prosecutor at Jamaica’s Integrity Commission.

    In her initial statements as deputy commissioner, Taylor Wellington highlighted alarming trends in police-related fatalities, revealing a 65% year-over-year increase in fatal security force shootings during 2025, with 311 individuals killed compared to the previous year. Particularly disturbing is the 300% surge in fatalities recorded in the first five days of 2026, with 12 persons shot dead by security forces compared to three during the same period in 2025.

    Taylor Wellington emphasized Indecom’s commitment to “independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents involving security force shootings.” She assured citizens that recent fatal encounters would undergo thorough and objective examination, with appropriate actions taken should legal violations be identified.

    Notably, Indecom’s investigations into these incidents revealed concerning procedural gaps. While eight firearms were recovered across six recent shooting incidents, no body-worn cameras were activated by involved officers during any of these encounters. One Jamaica Constabulary Force member reportedly possessed equipment but claimed inability to activate it due to missing mounting accessories.

    All officers involved have been formally served with Section 21 Notices under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act (2010), requiring them to submit detailed statements and attend investigatory interviews.

  • Charles Jr commends senior citizens embracing digital skills through GetConnected Programme

    Charles Jr commends senior citizens embracing digital skills through GetConnected Programme

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant push toward digital inclusion, Jamaica’s Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr has publicly praised elderly citizens engaging with the government’s GetConnected Digital Literacy Programme. During an impromptu visit to the National Council for Senior Citizens on West Kings House Road, the minister witnessed Cohort 3 of the initiative in progress, where 33 seniors are currently mastering essential digital competencies.

    Minister Charles Jr emphasized that the program dismantles the notion that senior citizens are merely observers of technological progress. “Every time I see this programme in action, it sends a powerful message — our senior citizens are not on the sidelines of development; they are active participants in Jamaica’s future,” he stated.

    The comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster active and healthy aging by equipping participants with practical skills. These include operating computers and mobile devices, maintaining social connections through digital platforms, accessing online services, and implementing crucial safety measures in cyber environments. The minister highlighted that beyond reducing social isolation, these skills enhance personal independence and can potentially lead to new economic opportunities.

    Adding international credibility to the initiative, the program utilizes globally recognized training materials and offers participants the chance to obtain certification from City & Guilds. This aspect reinforces that age presents no barrier to achieving technological proficiency.

    With Safer Internet Day approaching in February, Minister Charles Jr also stressed the inseparable link between digital access and cybersecurity awareness, particularly for vulnerable demographics. “Digital empowerment must go hand in hand with digital protection. Confidence, safety, and responsible online engagement are just as important as access,” he remarked.

    The minister extended an invitation to all eligible senior citizens across Jamaica to enroll in future sessions by contacting the National Council for Senior Citizens, reaffirming the government’s dedication to creating inclusive opportunities throughout all stages of life.