Author: Steve Brown

ISRATECH Celebrates Local Farmers With Unprecedented Support Through ‘My Farmer, My Hero’ Competition Kingston, Jamaica— In a remarkable show of support and recognition for Jamaica’s agricultural heroes, ISRATECH Jamaica Limited has awarded a total of $175,000 in gift certificates to three farmers who demonstrate exceptional dedication, resilience, and creativity within their communities. This initiative, launched under the banner of ISRATECH October Cares Initiative, aims to champion the invaluable role farmers play in maintaining the nation’s food security. ISRATECH’s latest effort highlights the success of the ‘My Farmer, My Hero’ competition, designed to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of…

Jamaica Launches 2024 Trees for Peace Competition: Cultivating Cultures of Peace Through Green Initiatives Kingston, Jamaica – In a vibrant effort to foster a culture of peace and environmental stewardship, the 2024 edition of the Trees for Peace Competition has been officially launched. The initiative, spearheaded by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth, aims to transform school campuses into serene and ecologically sustainable peace gardens. The launch, held at Kingston High School, featured prominent figures including Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, and Dr. Elizabeth Ward, chair…

S Hotel Montego Bay Champions Breast Cancer Awareness with Generous Contribution to Screening Initiative MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica—In a significant step towards promoting breast cancer awareness and early detection, S Hotels Jamaica has pledged $1 million to fund breast cancer screenings for 60 women hailing from underserved communities in western Jamaica. This philanthropic initiative underscores the hospitality group’s continuous commitment to community service, a mission they have steadfastly pursued since the S Hotel’s inception in Montego Bay five years ago. Unveiling this benevolent gesture, the women involved are among the first in the Caribbean to benefit from screenings using the innovative…

Jamaica and the United States Harness AI to Propel National Security and Telemarketing Initiatives In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing numerous sectors worldwide, both Jamaica and the United States are embracing this transformative technology to drive pivotal advancements. While Jamaica is taking significant strides to integrate AI into telemarketing, the United States has shifted its focus towards fortifying national security, in a move reflective of the global competition in AI innovation. In Jamaica, the integration of AI into the telemarketing sector represents a new frontier for business operations, aiming to enhance customer interactions, streamline processes, and optimize…

UK Government to Ban Disposable Vapes in 2024 to Safeguard Youth and Address Environmental Concerns London, United Kingdom (AFP) – In a decisive move aimed at protecting young people and combating environmental impacts, the UK government has announced plans to ban disposable vapes starting next year. The legislation, driven by health and environmental concerns, will be part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill introduced by the new Labour government. Andrew Gwynne, Public Health and Prevention Minister, emphasized the alarming trend of vape usage among young people, noting that a staggering 25% of individuals aged 11 to 15 used vapes last…

Beyoncé to Join Kamala Harris at Houston Rally in Powerhouse Campaign Push HOUSTON, United States – Music superstar Beyoncé is set to make a high-profile appearance alongside Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Houston, Texas, scheduled for Friday. This event, described as one of the campaign’s grandest finales, will also feature legendary musician Willie Nelson. According to information from a CNN report, the announcement of this joint appearance was made by a source acquainted with the rally’s planning on Thursday. This marks the first time Harris will share the stage with Beyoncé, whose track "Freedom" has become synonymous…

Social Media Influencer Murder Case Advances with New Court Date Set for Suspect Rushawn Patterson St James, Jamaica — In a significant development in the case surrounding the October 2022 murder of social media influencer Aneika “Slickianna” Townsend, the St James Circuit Court has set a new mention date for suspect Rushawn Patterson. The case is scheduled to be revisited on January 31, as per the decision by Supreme Court Judge Bertram Morrison during Patterson’s recent court appearance. This comes after the Crown informed the court that while the postmortem report has been obtained, they are still awaiting crucial DNA…

Adalberto Carrasquilla from Panama and Melchie Dumornay from Haiti have been named as the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football’s (CONCACAF) Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year, respectively. The announcement was made following a vote involving coaches, players, media, and supporters based on their performances over the 2023-24 season. Carrasquilla, who plays for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer, played a pivotal role in Panama’s success in reaching the Gold Cup final in 2023 and making it to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. He also contributed to the Dynamo winning the US Open…

British Nurse Lucy Letby Loses Appeal Against Conviction LONDON, United Kingdom – Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies, has lost her bid to appeal her conviction. The Court of Appeal in London denied her request to challenge the conviction for attempting to murder a newborn, referred to as Child K, at a UK hospital. Letby, who was sentenced to life in prison, argued through her legal team that the retrial granted in July should not proceed due to the significant media coverage of her initial trial, which they claim led to "overwhelming and irremediable…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness Issues Dire Warning on Economic Stability in Address to Young Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica – In a stirring address at the Young Jamaica General Meeting held at the University of the West Indies on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed grave concerns over the potential recurrence of economic instability, drawing lessons from the tumultuous era of the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (Finsac) disaster. Reflecting on the economic challenges that arose from the Finsac crisis nearly three decades ago, Holness highlighted the devastating impact it had on Jamaica’s economy. Established in January 1997 to stabilize the country’s…