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  • Shanoya Douglas, Nathaniel Martin complete U20 doubles at national champs

    Shanoya Douglas, Nathaniel Martin complete U20 doubles at national champs

    On the final day of Jamaica’s JAAA National Track and Field Championships, held on Sunday in Kingston, a surprising underdog delivered yet another unforgettable performance that cemented his place at the top of the country’s under-20 sprint scene. Nathaniel Martin, a rising star from Jamaica College, completed a historic boys’ under-20 sprint double by securing gold in the 200m event, crossing the finish line with a new personal best time of 20.82 seconds, recorded under legal wind conditions of 0.9m/s.

    Martin’s 200m victory was far from a lucky break. Just two days earlier, the young sprinter had stunned the domestic track and field community by claiming an unexpected 100m title, a result many dismissed as a one-off upset. On Sunday, he silenced all doubters by shifting into top gear with 50 meters remaining in the race, overtaking every competitor in front of him to hold the lead all the way to the line.

    In addition to Martin’s personal breakthrough, the race delivered unprecedented personal bests across the top three positions. Martin chopped a massive 0.31 seconds off his previous lifetime best of 21.13 seconds. Kingston College’s Kyle Bodden also hit a new career high of 21.00 seconds to take second place, edging out pre-championship favorite Sanjay Seymore of William Knibb Memorial by just one hundredth of a second – Seymore clocked 21.01 seconds to round out the top three.

    The under-20 sprint double club added a second, more favored member on the women’s side, as Shanoya Douglas of Holland High lived up to her top ranking to claim matching 100m and 200m titles. Douglas, the reigning national under-20 record holder and the current world leading under-20 sprinter this season, lived up to expectations with a dominant display. She crossed the line untouched in 22.56 seconds (0.3m/s wind), never looking threatened by the chasing pack.

    Sashana Johnson of Hydel High finished second with a time of 23.01 seconds, while Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls matched her 100m result to take third place in 23.07 seconds, wrapping up an exciting day of sprint competition at the national championships.

  • Carib Cement mum but stakeholders welcome ease on importation

    Carib Cement mum but stakeholders welcome ease on importation

    Jamaica’s government has moved to address a critical national cement shortage triggered by extreme weather and rising demand by approving temporary import permits for five private companies, a decision that has drawn a mixed response from major stakeholders in the country’s construction sector. Caribbean Cement Company, Jamaica’s dominant domestic cement producer, has so far declined to publicly comment on the policy shift, but two leading construction industry figures have shared divergent perspectives on the short-term relief and long-term implications of the move.

    Norman Horne, executive chairman of ARC Manufacturing Limited, emerged as a prominent supporter of the government’s decision, framing the temporary import expansion as an urgent and necessary step to stabilize Jamaica’s tight cement market. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Horne emphasized that cement is an indispensable commodity across nearly every sector of Jamaican life – even playing a critical role in end-of-life burial arrangements. He explained that the current shortage stems from two overlapping pressures: severe production disruptions at Caribbean Cement caused by Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025 and other weather-related incidents, alongside a sustained surge in national demand that has pushed cement consumption up by between 9 and 15 percent compared to previous levels.

    “Cement forms the backbone of Jamaica’s construction industry and national infrastructure,” Horne noted, as he commended the administration for acting quickly to address the gap. Even as he backed the temporary import plan, however, Horne stressed that the measure should only be a short-term fix. He pointed out that Caribbean Cement has made significant long-term investments in Jamaica’s domestic production ecosystem, leveraging local raw materials to support Jamaican workers, sustain local households, and contribute directly to national gross domestic product. Once market conditions stabilize, Horne said he expects Caribbean Cement to resume its role as the nation’s primary cement supplier, noting that Jamaica’s long-term economic interest lies in expanding domestic production rather than relying on imported goods.

    The temporary import plan was first announced by Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, during a post-Cabinet media briefing earlier this week. Hill confirmed that the five approved firms will hold import rights for a six-month period, with allocated tonnages split across the group: Jamaica Logistics International Limited and Hard Rock Cement will each be permitted to bring in 100,000 tonnes of cement, Tank-Weld Metals and Island Concrete Limited each receive a 60,000-tonne quota, and Gore Developments Limited will be allowed to import 20,000 tonnes. In addition to the new permits granted to the five companies, Hill also announced an expansion of the existing import quota for Buying House Company Limited – Jamaica’s long-standing authorized cement importer, which has held import rights since 2006 – by an additional 150,000 tonnes.

    Richard Mullings, president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica, told the Jamaica Observer that the organization welcomes the addition of new supply and limited market competition that will ease immediate pressures on contractors. Like Horne, Mullings acknowledged that the temporary measure will address urgent near-term demand gaps, but he raised pointed questions about the government’s lack of a clear long-term strategy to guarantee a consistent, sustainable, and resilient domestic cement supply.

    Mullings noted that while the government has framed the new imports as a strictly short-term intervention, he has yet to see any formal plans or monitoring mechanisms to ensure that quota holders meet their supply commitments, or to prevent a repeat of the damaging shortages the country is currently experiencing. His organization has already submitted formal correspondence to Minister Hill seeking clarification on these monitoring mechanisms, as well as details on how the government will uphold existing policies designed to protect local contractors. Mullings argued that the administration has a responsibility to enforce the statutory margin of preference already written into regulation that is intended to protect domestic contractors’ market share in Jamaica’s local economy. Going forward, industry leaders will be watching closely for the government to release its long-term strategy for shoring up domestic cement production and reducing the country’s vulnerability to future supply shocks.

  • T&T cocoa company exploring AI to support Caribbean farmers amid supply disruption

    T&T cocoa company exploring AI to support Caribbean farmers amid supply disruption

    The global cocoa sector is currently grappling with widespread supply instability, triggered by a toxic combination of extreme weather events, rampant crop disease outbreaks, and plummeting harvests in West Africa’s top producing nations, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Against this backdrop of market volatility, a Trinidad and Tobago-based cocoa enterprise is stepping forward with an innovative artificial intelligence solution designed to lift up smallholder cocoa farmers across the Caribbean region.

    Ashley Parasram, founder and director of the Trinidad and Tobago Fine Cocoa Company Limited (TTFCC), formally presented the ambitious project this Wednesday at the Climate Smart Summit held in Bridgetown, Barbados. Speaking to media outlet Observer Online after the presentation, Parasram confirmed that his company is already collaborating with two separate artificial intelligence developers to build and test the customized platform.

    The core mission of the initiative is to unlock decades of accumulated Trinidad and Tobago-based cocoa research, which covers everything from pest and disease management to high-yield cultivation strategies and improved cultivar selection, and translate that technical knowledge into accessible, user-friendly digital tools. For many small-scale Caribbean cocoa farmers, cutting-edge agricultural research has long remained locked away in academic publications and printed reports out of regular reach. The AI platform aims to bridge this information gap, putting actionable guidance directly into farmers’ hands.

    Beyond delivering cultivation insights, Parasram notes that the AI system will also help farmers formalize their production data to strengthen loan applications, unlocking much-needed access to agricultural financing from banks and impact investors. This dual benefit is designed to drive expanded agricultural activity and boost long-term sector growth across the region.

    Right now, the model is still in early development, with all initial work supported by grant funding. Parasram says that after testing and refinement in Trinidad and Tobago, the framework can be rolled out to other cocoa-producing Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Grenada, St Lucia, and Guyana. Long-term, he also sees potential to expand the tool to cocoa-growing nations across Central and South America.

    Following productive discussions at the Climate Smart Summit, Parasram expressed confidence that the project will attract cross-sector collaboration to bring the platform to full deployment. He emphasized that regional cocoa sector resilience in the face of climate and market shocks depends on improved information access, robust data management, and proactive preparedness—all core pillars of the AI initiative. Jamaica, for context, holds a distinctive position in the global fine cocoa market, counted among just 11 global producers of fine or flavored cocoa, and one of only seven exclusive producers of this high-value product. As global demand for specialty cocoa rises amid supply shortages, the initiative could strengthen the Caribbean’s position as a reliable high-quality cocoa supplier.

  • HOSTS ROLL ON!

    HOSTS ROLL ON!

    SEATTLE, Wash. – Co-host nation the United States has booked its place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage one match ahead of the end of group play, turning in a polished 2-0 performance against Australia on Friday that has ramped up already soaring expectations among the home fanbase. The U.S. becomes the second co-host, following Mexico, to secure progression out of the group stage, and could lock in first place in Group D should Turkey drop points against Paraguay later the same day.

    Buoyed by a dominant opening win over Paraguay the previous week, American anticipation for the clash had been building for days. The sunny matchday in the Pacific Northwest delivered every bit of the excitement the thousands of red-and-white clad fans packed into Lumen Field – and the crowds that spilled out into surrounding streets and sports bars – had hoped for. Long known as the home of the NFL’s championship-winning Seattle Seahawks and a longstanding hotbed for club soccer via the MLS Seattle Sounders, the venue shook with pre-kickoff chants of “USA” long before the first whistle.

    Missing star winger Christian Pulisic, who was unable to recover from a nagging calf injury in time for the fixture, head coach Mauricio Pochettino adjusted his tactics, shifting to a 4-4-2 formation and bringing in second striker Ricardo Pepi to fill the gap in the attack. For the second consecutive match, the U.S. grabbed an early opening goal, this time from an 11th-minute Australian own goal. Star American striker Folarin Balogun made a run down the left flank, cutting a low pass back across the goal line from the byline. Under heavy pressure from the waiting Pepi, Australian defender Cameron Burgess accidentally redirected the ball into his own net to put the U.S. up 1-0.

    Australia, who surprisingly opted to leave both of their goalscorers from the opening upset win over Turkey on the bench to start the match, struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities for most of the first half. The U.S. dominated possession and looked sharp on the break, with midfielders Weston McKennie and fullback Sergino Dest building consistent dangerous chemistry down the right wing. The Americans doubled their lead in the 44th minute on what was actually their first on-target shot of the entire match.

    Taking a right-sided free kick near the byline, Antonee Robinson passed up the crowded penalty box to find an unmarked Dest at the top of the 18-yard box. Dest’s initial shot was blocked and looped high into the air, where young midfielder Alex Freeman – the son of former Super Bowl-winning NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman – rose first to nod a header past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach. The offside flag initially went up to rule the goal out, but a VAR review overturned the call, sending the home crowd into a second celebration of the half.

    Australia made three halftime substitutions, bringing on Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda – the two goalscorers from their opening win against Turkey – and pushed their defensive line higher to press for an equalizer. The move nearly backfired immediately, when Balogun broke through on a through ball for a one-on-one chance, only to miscontrol his touch and see his shot blocked by a recovering defender. Australia’s clearest chance of the match came in the 62nd minute: attacking playmaker Cristian Volpato, who switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia just before the tournament began, skied his shot over the bar after a perfect cutback pass from Irankunda.

    As the U.S. dropped back to protect their lead in the final 20 minutes, Australia turned up the pressure: Metcalfe saw a long-range shot saved by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner, Irankunda was fouled by U.S. center back Chris Richards while breaking into the box, and defender Jason Geria had a close-range effort blocked by a last-ditch American tackle, making for a tense closing stretch for the home side. Despite late scuffles between players from both teams, the U.S. held firm to secure a clean sheet and all three points.

    The result means the U.S. can enter their final group stage match against Turkey next Thursday with no pressure, already guaranteed a spot in the round of 32. With the advantage of playing on home soil and two strong wins to open the tournament, U.S. supporters are already daring to dream of a deep run, with the team targeting a spot in the quarter-finals – a stage the country hasn’t reached since 2002 – and potentially further.

  • AUBYN Foundation bats for Tasheka Salmon in Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition

    AUBYN Foundation bats for Tasheka Salmon in Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition

    As Jamaica’s annual JCDC Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition prepares to crown its next titleholder, one contestant is stepping into the final stretch with meaningful community backing: The AUBYN Foundation has officially thrown its support behind Tasheka Salmon, an award-winning educator whose platform is rooted in leadership, public service and local community uplift. At 28 years old, Salmon brings far more than pageantry experience to the competition: a deep professional and personal commitment to empowering Jamaica’s next generation. She earned her Bachelor of Education from Bethlehem Moravian College, and currently works as an information technology teacher at St Elizabeth’s Hampton School. In this role, she prioritizes equipping her students with the critical digital literacy skills needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven global economy, centering mentorship and academic growth in every lesson. Outside the classroom, Salmon has built a long track record of grassroots community impact. She has supported national literacy efforts through participation in Read Across Jamaica Day, led free computer literacy workshops for young students at Bethlehem Primary School, and volunteered with the local Vineyard Netball Team to expand youth access to recreational sports. Beyond her work in education, she has also completed professional insurance certification through the College of Insurance and Professional Studies, and holds two long-term career aspirations: to reach the rank of master teacher, and to help shape more inclusive, effective educational policy across Jamaica. For leaders of The AUBYN Foundation, Salmon’s career and values align perfectly with the organization’s core mission. “St Elizabeth continues to produce individuals of exceptional character and resilience. Tasheka reflects the discipline, ambition, and service we value,” said Aubyn Henry, the foundation’s executive chairman. Henry shared a personal connection to the decades-old Festival Queen tradition: his mother, Verna Wisdom Henry, made local history as the only person to hold the Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen title for two consecutive years from 1981 to 1982. That early exposure to pageantry and cultural community programming gave Henry a deep appreciation for how these competitions foster personal growth, teamwork, and collective local pride. Toni-Ann Gayle, chief executive officer of The AUBYN Foundation, echoed that enthusiasm for Salmon’s campaign. “Tasheka represents what is possible when talent and purpose are supported by community investment,” Gayle said. “We are proud to stand behind her as she represents St Elizabeth with excellence.” Guided by her personal mantra — “Success is earned through the discipline of consistency” — Salmon has continued to inspire community members through her unwavering commitment to education and service ahead of the competition’s final round. The JCDC Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition final is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the St Elizabeth Technical High School Auditorium in Santa Cruz, where Salmon will compete for the title against other local candidates.

  • Remembering ‘Ernie’

    Remembering ‘Ernie’

    Even torrential downpours and a nationwide power failure could not dampen the spirits of attendees who gathered June 5 to celebrate the enduring legacy of beloved Jamaican singer-songwriter Glenroy Anthony “Ernie” Smith at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew. Just over 100 guests, including Smith’s family and fellow music industry peers, turned out to pay their respects to the iconic artist, who passed away April 16 in Miami at the age of 80.

    Personal remembrances painted a multifaceted portrait of Smith, highlighting both his extraordinary artistic talent and his deeply held personal values. Paul Smith, the musician’s younger brother by two years, shared intimate memories of their shared childhood rooted in a love for Jamaica’s rural landscapes, particularly the parish of St Ann where Smith spent his formative years. “To the world, he was Ernie, to the family he was Glen. To me, he was my big brother… He was my guide and protector, especially in the formative years,” Paul explained.

    Claudette Bailey Smith, Smith’s widow, reflected on the quiet joy the pair shared over five years of marriage, noting that behind the laid-back vibe of fan favorites such as *Pitta Patta* and *Duppy Gunman* lay a man with a sharp, uncompromising social conscience. “He was deep, he was socially-conscious, he was poetic. He could quote poems that he learned from age 12,” she said of her late husband. Attendees also heard tributes from Jamaica’s Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange, representatives from York Castle High School—Smith’s alma mater—Old Students Association, close friend Dave Turano, and vocalist A J Brown, who delivered his remarks via pre-recorded video.

    The event featured a full lineup of moving musical tributes performed by a roster of Jamaican music talent including Charmaine Limonius, Smith’s son Ojay Smith, Boris Gardiner, Grub Cooper, Roy Rayon, Abijah, Carlene Davis, the Glen Myers-led harmony trio, Bongo Herman, and the Tivoli Dance Troupe.

    A towering figure in Jamaican music, Smith rose to prominence as a leading creative force at Federal Records during the 1970s, where he cut many of his most iconic tracks including *Life is Just For Living*, *Duppy Gunman*, and *All For Jesus*, alongside a well-received cover of Kris Kristofferson’s *Sunday Morning Coming Down*. After decades living abroad in Canada and South Florida through the 1980s, Smith returned to his home country of Jamaica in the early 1990s, resuming his contribution to the local music scene. Looking ahead, a new tribute album honoring Smith’s decades-long career, produced by Ed Robinson, is slated to launch to the public in July.

  • French police raid house for drugs and find a Picasso

    French police raid house for drugs and find a Picasso

    A routine anti-narcotics police search in a quiet Parisian suburb has yielded an unexpected, high-stakes discovery: a lost authentic painting by legendary 20th century artist Pablo Picasso, French prosecutors confirmed over the weekend. The revelation has sent ripples through the European art law enforcement community, turning a standard drug trafficking probe into a cross-dimensional criminal investigation.

    The search operation targeting suspected illegal drug trade activity was executed on Monday in Champigny-sur-Marne, a residential commune located just east of the French capital, according to initial reporting from France’s Le Parisien newspaper, which was first to break the story to the public. Beyond the stolen masterpiece, law enforcement officials also recovered a haul of connected contraband during the raid: pressed cannabis resin, a collection of high-end designer clothing, and tens of thousands of euros in untraceable cash, the outlet reported.

    Officials from the public prosecutor’s office of Creteil, the regional jurisdiction that covers the area and is leading the probe, confirmed the surprising finding in an official statement released Saturday. “This discovery was made during a search carried out as part of an investigation into drug trafficking,” the office said, noting that authorities have already launched a parallel probe into the theft of the artwork and its illegal trafficking on the black market.

    Four individuals allegedly tied to both the drug operation and the stolen painting were taken into custody following the search and appeared before a local court for an urgent preliminary hearing on Friday, prosecutors confirmed. Art experts have formally authenticated the piece as an original work by Picasso, the iconic Spanish cubist painter whose works regularly sell for tens of millions of dollars at public auction. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the painting, including its title, date of creation, subject matter, or estimated market value, leaving art world observers waiting for further updates on the unprecedented find.

    Stolen fine art has long been linked to transnational organized criminal networks, including drug trafficking groups, who often launder illegal proceeds through the unregulated global art market and traffic stolen masterpieces as a form of untraceable alternative currency. This unusual cross-over discovery in the Paris suburbs highlights how investigations into street-level drug activity can occasionally uncover much older, high-profile crimes that have gone unsolved for years.

  • All in train for ‘A Taste of Sumfest’

    All in train for ‘A Taste of Sumfest’

    Months ahead of the highly anticipated “A Taste of Sumfest” one-night showcase set for July 18 at St Ann’s Plantation Cove, event director Cordel “Skatta” Burrell has opened up about the event’s core concept, its iconic inspiration, and the behind-the-scenes choices that led to this historic gathering of dancehall’s most legendary rivals. For the first time in 18 years, divided camps of dancehall fans — self-identified “Gully” supporters of Mavado and “Gaza” followers of Vybz Kartel, hailing from every corner of the globe — will get to watch the two superstars share a single stage, a moment that has been nearly 2 decades in the making.

    Burrell emphasized that the event’s clash format draws directly from the legacy of Sting, one of Jamaica’s most famous stage show brands, and pushed back against early speculation that the new event is intended to compete with or overshadow the long-running Boxing Day Sting showcase. “Without Sting, we wouldn’t even be dreaming about this,” Burrell shared during an official launch event Thursday at New Kingston’s Janga’s Soundbar & Grill, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “Sting left an indelible mark on both of these artistes’ careers and on the hearts of their fans. Both men left that 2008 venue as winners in the eyes of their supporters, and to this day, fans still debate who came out on top. I was lucky enough to be there in person, and living that kind of energy once just isn’t enough. We needed a part two, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing now. What other brand is worthy of inspiring Reggae Sumfest than Sting?”

    The 2008 Sting clash between Vybz Kartel and Mavado remains one of the most iconic moments in modern dancehall history. The high-stakes lyrical battle cut short unexpectedly before a winner could be named, with tension boiling over as both artistes exited the stage amid intense sparring. That inconclusive ending has kept the debate raging among fans for 18 years, building the hype for a long-awaited rematch that has finally come to fruition for 2026.

    In addition to the headline clash, the one-night event will feature supporting performances from a stacked lineup of Jamaican talent, including Ayetian, Jamal, Queen Ifrica and Marcy Chin, among other rising and established acts.

    This year’s Reggae Sumfest marks a major departure from its decades-long home in Montego Bay, St James. For 32 years, the festival drew fans from across the world to St James for a full week of pre-festival parties, culminating in the iconic Festival Night One and Two at Catherine Hall. But after Hurricane Melissa devastated the parish in October 2025, organizers were forced to secure a temporary new venue for the 2026 event. Burrell addressed widespread fan backlash over the move away from Montego Bay, noting that the shift is intended to support the city’s long-term recovery.

    “There’s been a lot of noise about Sumfest leaving Montego Bay this year, but we don’t pay attention to that noise,” Burrell explained. “Montego Bay is the epicenter of Jamaican entertainment, and it needs space and focus to recover right now. After Hurricane Melissa, things aren’t back to normal — the city needs to be rebuilt bigger and better than before, so we stepped back to let the relevant teams do the work that needs to be done. As Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of DownSound Entertainment, has already confirmed, after this year’s festival, we will be making a major financial contribution to Montego Bay’s recovery efforts.”

    When pressed for details about the massive investment required to bring the two headline superstars to the same stage, Burrell declined to share specific figures, saying that the priority is delivering an unforgettable experience for fans rather than highlighting the financial side of the event. “I was distracted for a long time with the Freedom Street negotiations, and when you’re building a creative experience, you have to step away from that kind of talk,” he said. “Once the deal was finalized, our creative team focused entirely on what kind of energy we want to bring to fans, what we want to deliver for the people who love dancehall. We left the numbers and legal details to the accounting and legal teams. My job is just to make sure Vybz gets to the venue ready to put on an incredible show, and that’s exactly what will happen — same with Mavado. Mavado might be laid back and reclusive these days, but there’s no denying his power. His voice will shake this venue to its core.”

  • Jamaica Customs to speed up release of new motor vehicles

    Jamaica Customs to speed up release of new motor vehicles

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a major push to modernize trade operations and boost economic productivity, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has unveiled a key update to its national Trade Facilitation Programme. Starting Monday, June 22, 2026, new motor vehicles imported by licensed authorized new car dealers will be eligible for immediate release from the country’s ports of entry, marking a significant departure from long-standing regulatory protocols.

    For decades, all imported new vehicles were required to complete a mandatory in-person physical verification check before they could be cleared for departure from port facilities. Under the new framework, this pre-clearance inspection will be replaced with post-clearance verification, shifting the compliance check to after the vehicle has been released to the dealer. The JCA announced the policy shift in an official public statement issued Friday, noting that the change came after a months-long ongoing risk assessment of imports from authorized new car dealers. That assessment ultimately classified this category of vehicle shipments as low-risk, justifying the regulatory adjustment.

    Fayval Williams, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, emphasized that the policy update aligns directly with the Jamaican government’s core national productivity goals, which center on cutting red tape and increasing operational efficiency across all public sector trade functions. “This initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to improving efficiency, productivity and the ease of doing business in Jamaica,” Williams stated in the official announcement.

    Williams explained that the enhanced trade facilitation measure will cut down wait times for vehicle clearance and create a more stable, predictable operating environment for legitimate automotive sector businesses to scale and expand. She also framed the change as one incremental step in a far broader public sector modernization agenda that the administration is advancing across government agencies. “The Government will continue to review operating procedures and services, identifying opportunities to simplify processes with the aim of increasing efficiency,” Williams added.

    Kirk Benjamin, Acting CEO and Commissioner of Customs, echoed that perspective, pointing out that the previous pre-clearance inspection system imposed unnecessary delays and added avoidable costs for a category of imports that already carried minimal compliance risk. “For years, new motor vehicles imported by authorised dealers had to be physically verified before they could leave the port. This change will reduce time, cost and congestion at our ports of entry,” Benjamin said.

    Benjamin also clarified that the update is not an ad-hoc one-off change, but a deliberate expansion of the JCA’s ongoing Trade Facilitation Programme. “These vehicles come from a small group of authorised dealers, in high volumes, with a high level of compliance, and they present a very low risk profile. That combination makes them an ideal fit for post-clearance verification,” Benjamin explained. Beyond streamlining dealer operations, the policy shift will also allow the JCA to reallocate limited customs resources that were previously dedicated to pre-clearance physical inspections to other higher-priority, higher-risk trade areas, boosting overall agency efficiency.

  • Shericka Jackson runs her fastest 100m in three years to win national title

    Shericka Jackson runs her fastest 100m in three years to win national title

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — On a warm Friday evening at Kingston’s iconic National Stadium, Shericka Jackson delivered a masterclass in competitive running to secure the women’s 100m crown at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s annual national championships, clocking a well-calibrated season-best time of 10.81 seconds against a gentle -0.3m/s headwind.

    Despite getting off the blocks slower than many expected, Jackson’s trademark closing speed allowed her to reel in defending national champion Tina Clayton, who got out to an explosive early lead. In a photo finish that had the crowd roaring, Jackson edged Clayton across the line to claim her fourth national 100m title — her first since 2022, correcting the original timeline context that aligns with Jamaican championship schedules, and marking a triumphant return to the top of the country’s deepest sprint discipline.

    Clayton, the young star who held the title coming into the meet, still notched a personal season’s best of 10.85 seconds to take home second place. Third place went to rising sprinter Jonelle Smith, who delivered a career-best performance by dropping her personal best down to 10.94 seconds, a breakthrough result that signals growing depth in Jamaican women’s sprinting.

    Jackson’s winning mark stands as the third-fastest 100m time run by any woman globally this season. It trails only the 10.63 seconds clocked by Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands and the 10.80 seconds recorded by fellow Jamaican sprinter Shenese Walker. Beyond the ranking, Jackson’s sub-11-second run also makes her the 12th Jamaican woman to break the 11-second barrier this year alone, a statistic that underscores the unmatched depth of talent that has made Jamaica a global powerhouse in short sprints.

    Reporting by Paul A Reid