A Montego Bay man, Melbourne Forrester, is set to face trial after mediation efforts in a domestic violence case collapsed. Forrester, charged with unlawful wounding, allegedly struck his stepdaughter on the head with a pot during a heated argument, leaving her with a wound that required stitches. The incident escalated when Forrester reportedly brandished a knife, threatening to stab her, and later hurled stones, causing further injuries. A neighbor alerted the police, leading to Forrester’s arrest. Initially, Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton referred the case to mediation and restorative justice, but the process failed to yield a resolution. With the necessary medical certificate still pending, the judge scheduled a case management hearing for October 16 and extended Forrester’s bail. Meanwhile, tensions ran high in the St James Parish Court as another complex cross-case involving Angella Reid, Oshane McIntosh, and Ann Lawrence also saw mediation fail. Reid is accused of unlawful wounding against McIntosh, while McIntosh and Lawrence face charges of assault occasioning bodily harm against Reid. The court has set the next mention date for October 28, with all defendants’ bail extended.
标签： Jamaica
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Parliament power struggle
A heated debate unfolded in Jamaica’s House of Representatives on Tuesday as Government and Opposition legislators clashed over the appointment of chairs for Parliament’s sessional committees. The controversy stemmed from a motion introduced by Leader of Government Business Floyd Green to name committee members, reigniting a long-standing dispute over the separation of powers and transparency in governance.
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Jamaica scores big as Ricketts, Speid, and Edwards earn coveted FIFA Committee appointments
In a significant development for Caribbean football, three prominent Jamaican administrators have been appointed to FIFA Standing Committees, underscoring the global recognition of Jamaica’s football leadership. Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), along with Rudolph Speid and Carlene Edwards, were named to key positions following a FIFA Council meeting last Thursday. Additionally, Molly Rhone and Ian Wilkinson were appointed to FIFA Independent Committees, further highlighting Jamaica’s growing influence in international football governance. Ricketts, who was named Deputy Chairperson of the Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, ‘We are very happy and excited to represent our country at the highest level. This is a vote of confidence in our work and the quality of our administrators.’ Speid, the JFF’s Technical Committee Chairman and advisor to Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren, was appointed to the Technical Development Committee. Edwards, a marketing and communications expert instrumental in Jamaica’s club licensing program, will serve on the Women’s National Team Competitions Committee. Ricketts emphasized Edwards’ contributions, noting her significant impact on football development across the Caribbean. The appointments also include Rhone, former president of Netball Jamaica and World Netball, to the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, and Wilkinson, former president of the Jamaica Chess Federation, to the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee. These appointments mark a milestone for Jamaican football, reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing the sport both locally and globally.
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Denham Town Golden Age Home gets green push
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a heartwarming display of community care and environmental stewardship, Petrojam volunteers joined forces with seniors and staff at the Denham Town Golden Age Home to celebrate National Tree Planting Day. The initiative saw the planting of fruit trees and vibrant flowers across the property, fostering a serene and therapeutic environment for the residents.
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US Air Force employee sentenced for sharing defense info on dating app
In a significant breach of national security, a former civilian employee of the US Air Force has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for sharing classified information on an online dating platform. David Slater, 64, a retired US Army lieutenant colonel, admitted in July to transmitting sensitive documents to an individual posing as a woman from Ukraine. At the time of the offense, Slater was stationed at the US Strategic Command in Nebraska, an entity responsible for nuclear deterrence. The leaked materials, some classified as ‘top secret,’ included critical details about the Ukraine conflict, such as military targets and Russian capabilities. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Nebraska imposed a 70-month prison term and a $25,000 fine on Slater, underscoring the gravity of his actions.
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VMIL anchors regional expansion in Barbados, pivots to private equity and assets
VM Investments Limited (VMIL), a subsidiary of VM Financial Group Limited, is charting a bold course for regional expansion, leveraging its Barbados operations as a springboard for broader Caribbean growth. The company’s 2024 annual report underscores a strategic pivot toward private equity and asset management, alongside its traditional wealth management services, as it seeks to navigate evolving market dynamics and secure sustainable yields in a competitive landscape.
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Curacao confident ahead of Friday’s game against Reggae Boyz
As the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers heat up, Curacao’s national team captain, Leandro Bacuna, has expressed unwavering confidence ahead of their pivotal clash against Jamaica this Friday at the Ergilio Hato Stadium. Despite acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the Reggae Boyz, Bacuna remains optimistic about his team’s chances in what he describes as a decisive match.
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At-risk youth, parents see life-changing gains from ‘Agents of Transformation’ programme at Charlie Smith High
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A groundbreaking initiative, the Agents for Transformation programme, has delivered life-changing outcomes for at-risk students at Charlie Smith High School in Trench Town. This collaborative effort between Sterling Asset Management Limited and the Joy Town Community Development Foundation, which ran from August 2022 to March 2023, targeted 30 third-form students at risk of expulsion, suspension, gang involvement, and other detrimental behaviors. Of these, 23 students successfully completed the programme, which integrated life skills training, academic support, counseling, case management, and parental engagement to foster positive change. Additionally, 13 parents received positive parenting training to reduce household violence and enhance support for their children. The results were transformative: the school’s pass rate in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English exams surged from 13.1% to 75%. Michelle Valentine, AVP of Marketing and Communications at Sterling Asset Management, emphasized the programme’s dual focus on academic and real-world skills, equipping students to make better decisions and envision brighter futures. Students also engaged in career-focused life skills sessions hosted by the University of Technology (UTech), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and HEART/NSTA Trust, which broadened their horizons and inspired goal-setting. Camille Johnson, Programme Manager at Joy Town Community Development Foundation, highlighted the holistic impact on families and communities. Academically, students showed marked improvements in vocabulary, reading, comprehension, and mathematics, with 100% reporting enhanced reading skills and 90.5% valuing education more. Kasheina Allison, a 17-year-old graduate and President’s Award recipient, credits the programme with helping her manage anger and improve her grades. Now working in retail and preparing to study food and nutrition, Allison aspires to become a chef and serve in the JDF, urging others to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
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Barbados PM urges Commonwealth to play leading role in safeguarding democracy
In a compelling address at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Emilia Lifaka Memorial Lecture, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized the critical role of democracy in fostering peace, prosperity, and human dignity, even in the face of mounting global pressures. Speaking to the 56-member Commonwealth grouping, Mottley highlighted the challenges democracies face today, including debt, distrust, digital division, and societal fatigue. She underscored the resilience of democratic systems, citing recent events in France and the recognition of a Palestinian state as examples of how democracies navigate dissent and decision-making under one roof. Mottley called for a renewed commitment to democracy, urging the Commonwealth to lead by example and ensure that democratic principles are accessible to all, not just a privileged few. She stressed the importance of building strong institutions, fostering civic culture, and addressing systemic issues such as judicial accountability, global inequality, and the climate crisis. Mottley also highlighted the Caribbean’s unique position as a laboratory for democratic innovation, advocating for the export of good governance alongside goods and talent. Her message was clear: democracy is not a static ideal but a dynamic, ongoing effort that requires collective action and vigilance.
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Digicel steps up turnaround under new CEO after debt restructuring
Digicel, the Caribbean-based telecommunications giant, is undergoing a significant transformation under the leadership of its new CEO, Marcelo Cataldo. Appointed in early 2024, Cataldo, a seasoned executive with a background at Millicom, is steering the company toward financial stability and growth after years of grappling with substantial debt. Founded in 2001 by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien, Digicel expanded rapidly across 25 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Pacific, but its aggressive growth strategy left it burdened with a debt load that once peaked at $7 billion. Following a 2022 debt-for-equity swap that reduced its liabilities by $1.7 billion, the company has successfully refinanced its remaining obligations, bringing its total debt down to approximately $2.7 billion. Cataldo’s strategy focuses on three key areas: enhancing mobile services, expanding fibre-optic networks, and boosting enterprise solutions. With 10 million customers across its markets, Digicel aims to transition users from feature phones to smartphones, thereby increasing average revenue per user (ARPU). The company also plans to extend its fibre network, which currently reaches about 900,000 households, with significant expansions underway in Guyana and Curaçao. Additionally, Digicel is leveraging its expertise in ICT solutions, including cloud computing and data centers, to strengthen its enterprise services. Cataldo emphasized the importance of collaboration with regulators to accelerate digital adoption in the region. Despite challenges such as stagnant population growth in the Caribbean and the high cost of smartphones for many households, Cataldo remains optimistic about Digicel’s ability to drive digital transformation and achieve long-term growth. The company’s recent partnership with Caban Energy to provide clean power for its operations in Jamaica underscores its commitment to sustainability. Cataldo concluded that while it is still early in his tenure, Digicel is on track to meet its financial targets and deliver on its promises to stakeholders, positioning itself as a key player in connecting the Caribbean to the digital world.