标签： Jamaica

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Westwood High School has recently become a part of the Afro Day movement, a growing initiative that celebrates natural hair, cultural identity, and self-expression. Spearheaded by Kimberly Todd, a mathematics teacher and the 2022 Miss St Ann Festival Queen, the event saw female students proudly showcasing their natural curls, coils, and textures.

Todd, who has long advocated for this celebration, expressed her pride in finally seeing her vision come to life. ‘As a cultural ambassador, I’ve always wanted this for the girls since 2022. Although it didn’t happen two years ago, I’m thrilled to have succeeded this year. It’s crucial for the girls to embrace their true selves,’ she remarked. She also emphasized the importance of self-expression, even within the confines of the school’s uniform regulations, which traditionally include wearing hats.

The Afro Day movement, which gained momentum in Jamaican schools in 2023, has seen participation from institutions like St Catherine, Excelsior, Green Island, and Meadowbrook high schools. It aims to foster pride in African heritage and challenge outdated stereotypes surrounding natural hair. With Westwood High School now joining the movement, the event underscores Jamaica’s progress in celebrating black beauty and cultural authenticity.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 28-year-old man, Michael Jones of Haining Crescent, Kingston 5, has been formally charged with violating the anti-corruption act following an alleged attempt to bribe police officers during a routine traffic stop on Friday. The incident occurred around 11:40 am during a National Coordinated Roadblock operation, where Jones was observed driving a Toyota Axio without wearing a seat belt. Upon being signaled to stop, Jones failed to produce a valid driver’s license, prompting officers to prepare traffic citations. It is alleged that Jones then retrieved an envelope containing money from his vehicle and offered it to the officers in an attempt to avoid penalties. The police swiftly apprehended Jones, who was later charged after an interview. Authorities have reiterated that attempting to bribe a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force is a grave criminal offense, emphasizing that such actions will be prosecuted rigorously. This case underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within the law enforcement system and serves as a stark reminder to the public of the severe consequences of such misconduct.

A devastating bus accident in northeast Brazil has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, according to police reports on Saturday. The incident occurred late Friday in Pernambuco state, involving a bus carrying 30 passengers. The driver, who was traveling in the wrong direction, lost control of the vehicle after hitting rocks on the roadside. Although he managed to correct the direction, the bus subsequently crashed into an embankment and overturned. Among the victims were 11 women and four men, while the number of injured passengers remains undisclosed. The driver, who sustained only minor injuries and tested negative for alcohol, was taken into police custody. Authorities noted that some passengers were ejected from the bus during the crash.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 20-year-old construction worker, Romando Simpson, also known as ‘Prince,’ has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, following the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old kitchen assistant in May. The incident occurred in Cobourn Gardens, Kingston 11, on Sunday, May 25. The victim, Judas Clarke, popularly known as ‘Froggy,’ was employed as a kitchen assistant at Maple View Road in the same community. According to police reports, Clarke was seated outside his residence around 7:00 pm when Simpson allegedly approached him armed with a handgun. Simpson reportedly opened fire, striking Clarke before fleeing the scene on a waiting motorcycle. Emergency services were called, and Clarke was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Simpson was apprehended and formally charged on Friday after undergoing a question-and-answer session in the presence of his legal counsel. The charges against him include murder, possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition, and using a firearm to commit a felony.

A 44-year-old businessman from St Catherine, Jamaica, has been formally charged with fraudulent conversion following allegations of failing to deliver vehicles to customers who had paid deposits. Lloyd Thompson, a resident of Balmetto East Fort, is accused of defrauding two individuals between April and August 2023. According to reports from the Discovery Bay Police, one complainant paid $2.4 million for a Toyota Coaster, while the other handed over $1 million as a deposit for a Toyota Hiace bus. After making the payments, both customers reportedly attempted to contact Thompson to complete the transactions but were met with evasion. Thompson allegedly provided explanations that raised suspicions, prompting the victims to file police reports. Following investigations, Thompson was apprehended in connection with similar complaints within the Kingston police area. An identification parade was conducted, during which both complainants positively identified him. He was formally charged on Friday, and his court date is currently being finalized.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 25-year-old woman, Daniela Morrison, has been formally charged as an accessory before and after the fact in the murder of 14-year-old Terona Thomas, known as ‘Tee-Tee.’ The tragic incident occurred on April 17 in Kingston 11, where Thomas, a student from Cinnamon Crescent, was fatally shot alongside two others. Morrison, a contractor from Waltham Park Road, allegedly rented a silver Nissan Note motor cart used in the attack. According to the Olympic Gardens Police, an armed assailant opened fire on a group at Hill Avenue around 1:50 pm, injuring three individuals before fleeing the scene. Thomas succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, while the other victims were admitted for treatment. Morrison is accused of retrieving the vehicle post-incident and returning it. The St. Andrew South Division is actively pursuing additional suspects and has urged the public to provide any information that could aid the investigation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had previously offered a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Thomas’s killer.