标签： Jamaica

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Jane Goodall, the British primatologist whose groundbreaking work with chimpanzees revolutionized wildlife research and conservation, has died at the age of 91. Her passing was announced by the Jane Goodall Institute on Wednesday via an Instagram statement. Goodall, who was on a speaking tour in the United States, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Los Angeles.

Goodall’s legacy is one of profound transformation in the understanding of chimpanzees and their behavior. Her most notable discovery was the use of tools by chimpanzees, a revelation that redefined the boundaries between humans and animals. Born in London on April 3, 1934, Goodall’s fascination with animals began in childhood, nurtured by her father’s gift of a stuffed toy chimpanzee. Her passion led her to Kenya in 1957, where she worked with renowned palaeoanthropologist Louis Leakey, who later sent her to study chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Her work at Gombe National Park not only advanced scientific knowledge but also positioned Tanzania as a global leader in chimpanzee conservation. Goodall’s findings challenged the notion that chimpanzees were inherently peaceful, revealing their capacity for violence, including infanticide and territorial wars.

In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to further her research and conservation efforts. In 1991, she launched Roots & Shoots, a youth-led environmental program now active in over 60 countries. Her activism intensified in the 1980s after learning about the threats chimpanzees faced, including exploitation in medical research, hunting for bushmeat, and habitat destruction.

Goodall’s influence extended beyond science. She authored numerous books, appeared in documentaries, and received prestigious honors, including being named a Dame Commander by Britain and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her message of empowerment resonated globally, emphasizing the role of individuals in making a positive impact on the planet.

Tributes from conservationists, politicians, and entertainers poured in following her passing. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described her as a ‘Messenger of Peace,’ while Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan highlighted her pioneering contributions to wildlife conservation. Actress Jane Fonda, a fellow environmental activist, urged people to honor Goodall’s legacy by treating the earth and its beings with love and respect.

Goodall’s life was marked by resilience and dedication. She married twice, first to Dutch nobleman and wildlife photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick, with whom she had her only child, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick. Her second marriage was to Tanzanian lawmaker Derek Bryceson, who later died of cancer.

Her final video, posted before her death, captured her enduring spirit. Clad in her trademark green, she greeted her audience with a chimpanzee call, a testament to her lifelong connection with the species she dedicated her life to understanding and protecting.

In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court found Andrew “French” Wright, Oneil Hope, and Rudolph Barnes guilty of multiple counts of fraud, including conspiracy to defraud, acquisition and use of criminal property, and larceny as a servant. The charges stem from a $222 million fraud scheme against INSPORTS, a government sports agency, between 2010 and 2017. The case was uncovered following an internal audit and subsequent investigation by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency. Wright, a former financial controller at INSPORTS and a prominent party promoter, was arrested in 2013 while contesting his dismissal from the agency. He was convicted on 13 counts of fraud by Justice Ann-Marie Lawrence-Grainger in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston. Hope and Barnes were found guilty on eight and 11 counts, respectively. Attorneys for Wright and Hope have announced plans to appeal the verdict, citing multiple grounds for challenging the decision. Wright’s legal team argued that his earnings were from his party promotion business, Chug It, but the court dismissed this claim, stating that INSPORTS funds were “intertwined” with his personal finances. The court also highlighted evidence of fraudulent invoices and unauthorized payments, leading to significant financial losses for INSPORTS. All three defendants have been remanded until their sentencing on November 21. Meanwhile, three former INSPORTS employees were acquitted of any wrongdoing.

In a recent development in Kingston, Jamaica, Andrew Beacon and Anthony Spence faced further custody as their case regarding the theft of four goats from Hayes in Clarendon proceeded in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday. Beacon is accused of receiving stolen property, while Spence faces charges of unauthorized possession of property. The court highlighted that a crucial statement from the goat owner is still pending, delaying the case’s progress. The incident dates back to August 3, 2025, when police officers in Denham Town noticed a Toyota Fielder speeding suspiciously. Upon pursuit, the vehicle, allegedly driven by Spence, entered Beacon’s premises, where an attempt to close the gate was made. Four goats were discovered inside the car, leading to the arrest of both individuals. In a related decision, Judge Peter Wilson released the Toyota Fielder to its owner under a $100,000 bond, stipulating that the vehicle must remain unaltered and undisposed until the court’s final verdict. Wilson emphasized the necessity of further discussions with the owner regarding the vehicle’s loan details. The accused are scheduled to reappear in court on October 10, 2025.

In a significant step to combat gender-based violence, Spain’s leftist government has approved a groundbreaking bill to classify vicarious violence as a distinct criminal offense. Vicarious violence, defined as harm inflicted on women through their loved ones—often children or close relatives—by a partner or ex-partner, has been a growing concern in the country. Equality Minister Ana Redondo emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, ‘This form of violence is not currently recognized in our legal system. Given the reality, it is crucial to define and incorporate it.’ Since 2013, 65 children in Spain have been murdered in acts of vicarious violence, highlighting the severity of the problem. Beyond extreme cases, such violence can manifest in subtler forms, such as withholding prescribed medication, preventing children from participating in activities they enjoy, or returning them to their mothers in unsanitary conditions. The proposed amendment to the criminal code would classify vicarious violence as a gender-based aggravating circumstance, with penalties ranging from six months to three years in prison. Additionally, abusers would be prohibited from publishing materials that could further traumatize victims. The bill, championed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government, which has prioritized feminism and gender equality, now faces the challenge of gaining parliamentary approval despite lacking a majority. Spain has long been a leader in addressing gender-based violence, with its 2005 law introducing specialized courts, free legal aid, emergency housing, and prosecution without requiring a formal complaint from the victim.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Nowell Lewin Jr, a 23-year-old law student and farmer, is spearheading a transformative movement to address mental health challenges and suicide in Jamaica. Armed with determination and a phone, Lewin founded the Global Integration Society, a youth-led mental health advocacy group dedicated to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental illness in the country.