标签： Jamaica

Jamaica confronts profound questions of faith and accountability as a shocking documentary concludes its investigation into the Kevin Smith cult phenomenon. The final installment of ‘Kevin Smith: Cult Pastor — Dead or Alive? The Story that Shook Jamaica’ premieres on YouTube, presenting new eyewitness testimonies and disturbing details about fatal rituals that transformed the once-revered spiritual leader into a posthumously charged criminal.

The documentary meticulously examines how Smith’s influence escalated into deadly manipulation, resulting in multiple fatalities during extreme religious ceremonies. Jamaican authorities have brought unprecedented posthumous charges against Smith, including murder, conspiracy, and firearm offenses, creating legal history while reopening emotional wounds for victims’ families.

Beyond the true-crime narrative, the investigation delves into systemic failures within religious and governmental institutions that allowed dangerous practices to flourish unchecked. The production team gathered extensive testimonies from survivors and experts analyzing the psychological mechanisms of control within closed communities.

Most provocatively, the documentary presents evidence and expert commentary addressing persistent rumors that Smith may have fabricated his own death, leaving open the possibility that the cult leader could still be alive. This central question fuels an exploration of how charismatic authority can persist beyond physical presence and how communities struggle to heal from collective trauma.

The case has sparked national conversations about regulating religious organizations and improving mental health support systems to prevent similar tragedies, making this documentary both a historical record and catalyst for institutional reform.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The St. James Municipal Corporation has launched an extensive month-long initiative to bolster earthquake preparedness throughout the parish, designating January as Earthquake Awareness Month. This comprehensive program features enhanced public education sessions across educational institutions, commercial enterprises, and local communities, alongside realistic simulation drills and a coordinated media campaign to maximize public engagement.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, addressed constituents during the January 8 municipal meeting, emphasizing the critical importance of community participation. “I urge all residents to actively engage in preparedness drills and assume personal responsibility for their safety,” Vernon stated. “Heeding official advisories from the Municipal Corporation is particularly crucial this year, more than ever before.”

Trevion Manning, the Corporation’s Director of Planning, provided crucial context regarding the distinct nature of earthquake emergencies compared to other disasters. “Public awareness regarding appropriate actions during and after seismic events requires specialized attention, as these situations differ fundamentally from hurricane protocols,” Manning explained.

Despite the earthquake preparedness focus, Manning clarified that post-hurricane recovery operations remain an ongoing priority for the municipality. “We continue to support displaced residents through shelter accommodations, meal provisions, and permanent housing solutions,” he noted. “Both the Council and national government maintain recovery operations throughout the parish, with our primary objective being the restoration of normalcy for affected citizens and businesses.”

The dual-focused approach demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to both immediate disaster recovery and long-term resilience building against future seismic events.

Renowned gospel musician and pastor Donnie McClurkin has publicly refuted sexual assault accusations leveled by his former assistant, Giuseppe Corletto, in a recently filed lawsuit. Addressing his followers via a Facebook Live session, McClurkin characterized the claims as entirely baseless and motivated by financial gain.

The artist expressed bewilderment at the allegations, noting he had neither seen nor spoken to Corletto since 2015. McClurkin emphasized the eleven-year gap since their last contact, questioning the timing and authenticity of the accusations. He suggested such false claims ultimately harm genuine victims of sexual violence while expressing confidence that truth would ultimately prevail.

Despite acknowledging the controversy generated by the lawsuit, McClurkin maintained his commitment to transparency and Christian principles. The Grammy-winning singer stated he remains prayerful for his accuser’s spiritual reconciliation, asserting the allegations contradict his moral character and ministry work.

According to legal documents obtained by NBC News, Corletto’s suit presents a different narrative. The former assistant claims he sought McClurkin’s spiritual guidance in 2003 while struggling to reconcile his faith with his sexuality. Then 21 years old, Corletto allegedly approached McClurkin after reading the pastor’s autobiographical book detailing how he overcame homosexuality through divine intervention.

The lawsuit contends that spiritual sessions intended to ‘pray away’ same-sex attraction escalated into sexual molestation. These allegations emerge against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about accountability within religious institutions and the controversial history of conversion therapy practices.

Jamaica’s longstanding Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Programme continues to serve as a transformative economic lifeline for countless families, creating pathways to financial stability, home ownership, and entrepreneurial success. For over six decades, this government-managed initiative has facilitated temporary agricultural employment opportunities in Canada and the United States, with recent departures marking the beginning of the 2026 season.

Edward Gayle from St Elizabeth exemplifies the program’s life-changing impact. Initially skeptical when he first joined in 2018, Gayle now returns annually to the same Ontario farm where he has developed strong, respectful relationships with employers. His financial gains have enabled him to expand his home from a single room to a comfortable family residence, fund his children’s education, and invest in his local farming business. The program’s value became particularly evident during Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed some of his crops but spared his home and livestock—prompting plans to build more resilient hurricane-proof structures using earnings from his current work season.

Veteran participant Oakley Rowe demonstrates even more dramatic success after 13 years in the program. The skilled construction worker and farmer has built a sturdy four-bedroom home that weathered Hurricane Melissa without damage. His achievements continue with plans to develop rental properties, leveraging the substantial weekly earnings that can reach $800 USD after taxes. Rowe emphasizes that consistent effort in the program yields tangible rewards for those with clear goals.

Sheldon Miller of Clarendon represents the entrepreneurial spirit fostered by the program. Since 2015, Miller has utilized both earnings and acquired skills to establish a local grocery business and expand into coconut and orange farming. He stresses the importance of strategic planning, noting that overseas earnings must be invested wisely rather than spent frivolously upon return to Jamaica.

The recent departure of 182 workers—97 on Tuesday and 85 on Wednesday—marks another season of opportunity, with 90% being returning workers. This retention rate underscores the mutual satisfaction between Jamaican workers and Canadian employers across provinces including Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Workers will engage in greenhouse agriculture and fruit/vegetable cultivation for the next eight months.

As Jamaica approaches the program’s 60th anniversary, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing while preserving the initiative’s integrity. The minister urged participants to maintain the program’s proud legacy dating back to 1966, emphasizing health, safety, mutual support, and exemplary representation of Jamaica abroad.