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.
标签： Jamaica
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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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World Bank says Caribbean economies outpaced economies in Central America
The World Bank has emphasized the potential for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to overcome its persistent low-growth cycle by fostering entrepreneurship to drive job creation, enhance productivity, and accelerate innovation. In its latest report, titled ‘Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Review: Transformational Entrepreneurship for Jobs and Growth,’ the institution highlighted the region’s economic challenges, including stubborn inflation, rising debt, weak investment, and global uncertainty. These factors are projected to limit regional growth to 2.3% in 2025 and 2.6% in 2026, the slowest among global regions. Susana Cordeiro Guerra, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed the need for governments to build on recent stability by accelerating reforms to improve the business climate, invest in infrastructure, and mobilize private capital. The report identifies external challenges such as declining global demand and commodity prices, which are expected to drop by 10% in 2025 and another 5% in 2026, impacting key sectors. Domestically, high inflation and public debt, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising to 63.8% in 2024, further constrain economic activity. The report advocates for ‘transformational entrepreneurship’—high-growth firms that diffuse technology, create jobs, and boost productivity—as a catalyst for economic dynamism. William Maloney, World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, underscored the role of entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities and driving innovation. However, the region faces significant barriers, including limited access to finance, heavy regulation, skills gaps, and weak infrastructure. To address these challenges, the report proposes a three-point agenda: investing in human capital, supporting policy and regulatory reforms, and expanding access to finance. By implementing these reforms, the World Bank believes LAC can foster entrepreneurship, fuel innovation, and build more competitive economies.
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Newly formed Tropical Storm Jerry could strengthen into hurricane
Meteorologists are on high alert as Tropical Storm Jerry, currently brewing in the central Atlantic, is projected to escalate into the 10th hurricane of the season by Wednesday. According to CNN Weather, the storm is advancing near or north of the northern Leeward Islands, threatening to unleash heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and turbulent seas as it strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane. While early forecasts predict intensification, the storm’s precise trajectory remains uncertain. Some models suggest it may veer out to sea, while others indicate a potential approach toward land. This hurricane season, which began unusually late with most storms forming in late September, has experts cautiously optimistic. If Jerry remains at sea, it would mark the first hurricane season in a decade without a U.S. landfall, offering a rare respite for coastal communities.
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Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special back Oct 19
The highly anticipated Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special is making a triumphant comeback to the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College on Sunday, October 19. This event, designed to deliver an evening of side-splitting humor, will showcase some of Jamaica’s most celebrated comedians, including Dahlia Harris, Leighton Smith, and Fancy Cat. Known for their sharp wit, insightful social commentary, and captivating storytelling, this dynamic trio is poised to leave the audience in stitches.
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Tufton, Market Me happy with IC report findings
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, has publicly acknowledged the findings of the Integrity Commission’s (IC) investigation into Market Me Consulting Limited, expressing relief over the report’s conclusions. The probe, which spanned three years, examined allegations of procurement irregularities and conflicts of interest involving contracts worth nearly $80 million awarded to Market Me by the health ministry. The report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, found no evidence of wrongdoing by Dr. Tufton or Lindsay McDonnough, Market Me’s co-managing director. However, the IC criticized both parties for failing to disclose their personal friendship, which the commission suggested could have influenced the contract awards. Dr. Tufton addressed the prolonged public scrutiny, stating, ‘This matter has cast unfair doubt on my integrity and the reputations of others involved. I regret any hurt or reputational damage caused but am pleased the IC found no illegality.’ He emphasized his commitment to advancing Jamaica’s public health agenda and serving with integrity. Market Me, in a brief statement, affirmed that the report validates their professionalism and the value of their work.