Author: Steve Brown

Westmoreland, Jamaica – After more than a decade of delays, the trial of three police officers charged in connection with the 2014 beating death of 31-year-old Mario Deane is set to commence on Tuesday. The trial date was confirmed after seven jurors were empanelled during Monday’s session at the Westmoreland Circuit Court. The jury comprises four women and three men. Supreme Court Justice Courtney Daye expressed his satisfaction with the large turnout of prospective jurors, with a total of 56 individuals answering the summons. “A credit to the jury system as all served answered the summons,” stated Justice Daye, who…

A former immigration attorney, Kofi Amankwaa, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale immigration fraud scheme that targeted Caribbean and other immigrants. The 70-year-old was found guilty of exploiting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to file fraudulent immigration documents, defrauding clients of millions of dollars. The Scheme From September 2016 to November 2023, Amankwaa, along with accomplices, instructed clients to sign fraudulent Form I-360 VAWA Petitions. These documents falsely claimed that the clients had been abused by their U.S. citizen children or other family members. Amankwaa, who signed the petitions as the attorney preparer, knew the claims were fabricated and never…

A Westmoreland taxi driver is in police custody after allegedly hacking a man to death during a violent altercation on Saturday afternoon. The incident, which occurred in the Geneva district of Grange Hill, has left the community in shock. The Incident According to reports, Shadwayne Ellis, a 36-year-old taxi operator, got into an argument with Rodway Powell, a 54-year-old man from Farm Pen Llandillo, Savanna-la-Mar. The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation around 3:00 pm. During the altercation, Powell reportedly held onto the keys to Ellis’ car. In an attempt to retrieve them, Ellis allegedly pulled a machete from his vehicle and inflicted…

Grammy Award-winning artiste Shaggy is set to headline the Issa Trust Foundation’s 20th-anniversary benefit concert, Shaggy In Concert, on May 17, 2025, at Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios, St Ann. The event will also feature rising star Lila Ike as a special guest, promising an unforgettable evening of music and philanthropy. A Night Under the Stars This exclusive, all-VIP event will offer an intimate, open-air concert experience under the stars. Attendees will enjoy electrifying performances by Shaggy and Lila Ike, complemented by gourmet culinary creations from renowned chefs Stefan Spath and Jacqui Tyson, premium wines, and handcrafted cocktails. Pre-show experiences include…

Jamaica’s iconic American crocodile, a symbol proudly featured on the nation’s Coat of Arms, is facing a critical decline in population, despite misconceptions of overpopulation. Local conservationists are working tirelessly to dispel myths and raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered creatures and their habitats. Habitat Loss, Not Overpopulation Recent claims of crocodile overpopulation, fueled by increased sightings, have been debunked by experts. According to terrestrial biologist Damion Whyte, the apparent rise in crocodile encounters is due to habitat loss, not a population boom. “Our wetlands are shrinking, forcing crocodiles into areas with human activity,” Whyte explained. “What…

Jamaican athletes Shaquena Foote of San Diego State University and Neisha Burgher of the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) delivered standout performances at their respective NCAA Division 1 Conference Indoor Championships, securing double victories and setting new records. Shaquena Foote Dominates at Mountain West Championships Foote, a former Petersfield High standout, claimed the women’s 200m and 400m titles at the Mountain West Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She not only defended her 400m crown but also shattered her personal best, school record, and championship record with a blazing time of 51.48 seconds. Less than an hour later, she clocked 22.89 seconds in the…

  KINGSTON, Jamaica — Although Tropical Storm Rafael is shifting away from Jamaica’s western coast, the island continues to face intense gusty winds, heavy rain, and the risk of flash flooding. According to the latest advisory from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, a tropical storm warning remains in effect as Rafael’s impacts are still very much felt across the island. As of 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, the storm’s center was approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) south-southwest of Montego Bay and 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Negril Point. Rafael is tracking northwest at a speed of roughly 20 km/h (13 mph),…

Kingston, Jamaica — Jamaican Premier League champions Cavalier FC secured their place in the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup final with a commanding 7-0 win over Moca FC from the Dominican Republic in their semi-final return leg at the National Stadium on Wednesday. This victory also guarantees Cavalier FC a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they will be Jamaica’s sole representative in the 27-team tournament kicking off in February. Cavalier’s impressive win came after a goalless first leg in the Dominican Republic. Shaquille Stein led the charge with a hat-trick, while Kaile Auvrey scored twice, Christopher Ainsworth added…

United Nations, United States (AFP) — The UN reports that over 1,200 people were killed between July and September in Haiti, marking a 27% increase from the previous quarter as the country continues to grapple with escalating gang violence and law enforcement operations. According to the quarterly report released Wednesday, 1,223 people lost their lives, and 522 were injured as a result of the unrest, which underscores Haiti’s severe security crisis. The report indicates that nearly half of the deaths, 47%, were linked to gang activity, while 45% resulted from law enforcement actions. Disturbingly, at least 106 extrajudicial or arbitrary…

Kingston, Jamaica — The National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCBJ) has identified a technical issue affecting Uber transactions for some Visa Debit cardholders, resulting in certain transactions not being charged to customers’ accounts. The glitch has led to unpaid balances and, in some cases, potential misuse or fraudulent activity. In a press release on Wednesday, NCBJ disclosed that over 300 accounts have been temporarily frozen for investigation due to unusually high volumes of Uber transactions. “During our review, we detected unusual activity patterns, including instances where some customers completed an exceptionally high number of Uber transactions—some exceeding 700 rides within…