Your news in a nutshell

1. Cop counselled after 5yo son killed with her gun
2. Leash stray dogs!
3. Mona murder suspects charged
4. USF managing director out
5. Kudos for Kofi
6. Sargassum choking Welcome Beach

1. Cop counselled after 5yo son killed with her gun

A member of the St Catherine South police was yesterday undergoing counselling following the death of her five-year-old son, who allegedly shot himself with her service pistol. The incident occurred Saturday at the policewoman’s home in the community of Monza in Portmore, St Catherine. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Leash stray dogs!

Until the issue of responsible dog ownership and population control is given legislative priority, tragedies such as the mauling to death of senior citizen Whittingham Cole by free-roaming dogs is a risk to which most Jamaicans will remain exposed, according to the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Mona murder suspects charged

Twenty-seven-year-old Trinidad and Tobago national Sanju Maharaj and 19-year-old Jamaican Leonardo Madden, both charged with the murder of 13-year-old Shanoya Wray, are scheduled to return to court tomorrow. The teen’s partially decomposed body was found inside an apartment on Whalley Close in Mona, St Andrew, last month. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. USF managing director out

Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Suzette Buchanan has “separated” from the Agency. The details surrounding her departure have not been released. However, it comes just over a month after concern that her daughter was being paid $80,000 per month while temporarily assisting the USF with its social media activities. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Kudos for Kofi

Jamaica’s political leaders have joined the rest of the world in paying tribute to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan who died yesterday at the age of 80. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described Annan as “a humanitarian icon”. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Sargassum choking Welcome Beach

Welcome Beach in Clarendon is the first major local casualty of the sargassum weed infestation, and scientists are warning that the situation is not likely to get better for Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Outdated hospitals
2. Wife of slain cop mourns best friend
3. J’cans trained to provide harbour towage service
4. Jamaican success stories of earning online
5. Step up! -Referees
6. PFAJ to assist RSPL referees

1. Outdated hospitals

Failure to keep up-to-date with technology, coupled with poor maintenance of Jamaica’s health facilities, were among the main contributing factors to the problems being faced in the country’s health sector, noted Dr Christopher Tufton. Speaking at the presentation ceremony for a solarised energy system to the Bustamante Hospital for Children yesterday, the health minister also stressed the importance of health facilities to being innovative in driving the energy needs of the sector. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Wife of slain cop mourns best friend

Jonnella Spence Bucknor, the wife of slain police constable Rohan Bucknor, was at home on Sunday night waiting on her husband. They had planned to watch television talent show ‘Rising Stars’ together. Bucknor had called from the barber shop, where he had gone to get his hair cut, telling her to tune in to the programme, implying that he would be home soon. But he never made it home. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. J’cans trained to provide harbour towage service

Kingston Harbour is set to become the premier Caribbean hub for Post Panamax vessels after Ocean recently signed a 10-year contract with Jamaica’s Port Authority for the provision of harbour-towage services. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Jamaican success stories of earning online

Last week, I received an interesting message from a young woman on Twitter, which, to my amazement and absolute joy, would trigger a string of inspiring success stories from social media from Jamaicans earning online. The message read: “Hey.” It was immediately followed by a picture of a newspaper clipping of a Businesswisearticle written by me and published in the Sunday Gleaner on September 22, 2013. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Step up! -Referees

Former FIFA referee Charles ‘Charley’ Barrett believes too much emphasis is being placed on female referees, to the detriment of their male counterparts. However, Peter Prendergast, another former FIFA referee, disagrees with his colleague’s assertion, insisting women have worked hard to get to where they are and deserve the recognition they now get. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. PFAJ to assist RSPL venues

The Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ) said it will be making efforts to continue to improve on all the playing surfaces and venues of the clubs in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) to enhance the tournament’s quality. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Teachers, students not ready for PEP
2. St Thomas blocked road reopens
3. Shonaya Wray murder accused remanded
4. BPO player rubbishes Byles claim
5. $40m NWA road project in Trelawny
6. JTA close to reclaiming properties

1. Teachers, students not ready for PEP

Dr Garth Anderson, the newly installed president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), has indicated that the nation’s teachers and students are not ready for the new Primary Exit Profile (PEP), which is slated to replace the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. St Thomas blocked road reopens

The St Thomas Police are advising motorists that the roadway along Twelve and Thirteen miles in Bull Bay is now passable. A section of the road was closed this morning following a crash by a truck. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Shanoya Wray murder accused remanded

Two people, including a former medical student at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, will return to court on September 10 in relation to the murder of 13-year-old Shanoya Wray. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. BPO player rubbishes Byles claim

Stakeholders in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector are in agreement with businessman Richard Byles that more should be done to achieve greater economic growth, but has rubbished the notion that outsourcing only offers low paying jobs to Jamaicans. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.</a

5. $40m NWA road project in Trelawny

A $40 million drainage improvement and road rehabilitation programme by the National Works Agency (NWA) is now underway in Trelawny. The NWA says the programme is aimed at mitigating flooding in selected areas and also repairing roadways which have been damaged by recent torrential rainfall. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. JTA close to reclaiming properties

Byron Farquharson, Secretary-General of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), has said that the association is close to getting the titles for three multi-million dollar high-end houses which were bought from funds embezzled from its accounts. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Venezuela earthquake a warning to Ja
2. More than 200 jobs cut after sugar ops shutdown
3. PEP easy to understand -Reid
4. Bullas to be removed from schools
5. Murders down by 18%
6. Kids’ play pays off

1. Venezuela earthquake a warning to Ja

“The earthquake is another reminder of the need for Caribbean states to develop resilience in order to cope with all credible extreme events, including seismic and climatic extremes. Early reports from (the islands) indicate that strong to moderate shaking occurred, and that many members of the public, as well as institutions, such as radio stations, were caught unprepared by the strength and duration of the shaking,” said disaster risk management expert Franklyn McDonald. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. More than 200 jobs cut after sugar ops shutdown

Some 226 workers lost their jobs as a result of yesterday’s closure of J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s operations at its Holland Estate and Casa Marantha in St Elizabeth, a decision the company said was a result of ongoing economic losses caused by the combined effect of escalating operational costs and the declining cost of sugar. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. PEP easy to understand -Reid

IN A radical departure from the position taken earlier this week by the leadership of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Minister of Education Ruel Reid says the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination is easy to understand and apply and that his ministry is committed to guiding educators in its implementation. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Bullas to be removed from schools

Several food items, including the popular bulla cake, will be affected by the collaborative effort of the ministries of education and health to remove products high in sugar content from local schools as part of a campaign to promote healthier eating among students. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Murders down by 18%

The national murder rate is down 18 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of January 1 to August 18 last year, according to information from the latest Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Periodic Crime Statistics Review. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Kids’ play pays off

Just a simple thing as playing with your child a few hours a day could result in him/her having a higher IQ, better mental health, high self esteem, greater academic output and even a better salary as an adult. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Banks are unjust -JMEA
2. Tourists confused about ganja laws
3. Text book price increase burden parents
4. Another most wanted killed
5. Small businesses feel the squeeze
6. Williams catsuit banned

1. Banks are unjust! -JMEA

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) has strongly chastised local commercial banks for maintaining high interest rates over many years, describing it as “extortionate” and anti-development. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Tourists confused about ganja law

With an increasing number of cruise ship passengers being arrested for possession of ganja on their stop-over in Jamaica, Dr Lee Bailey, chairman of the Caribbean Cruise Shipping Limited, believes that the lack of clarity on the law with regard to the use of the herb and the amount that one can legally possess are to be blamed. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Text book price increase burden parents

The nation’s parents have been advised to expect an overall two per cent increase in textbook prices when they flock to bookstores across the island this weekend. But the advisory is no solace for parents who have been feeling the back-to-school strain for weeks now. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Another most wanted killed

Donovan ‘Tim’ Roach, who had been prominent on the Westmoreland police’s most wanted list for an extended period, has joined the growing list of top-flight gangsters killed in the western parish in recent times. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Small businesses feel the squeeze

The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) is calling for urgent intervention from the Government as it says that members are “being squeezed out of existence”. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Serena Williams catsuit banned

Serena Williams has been banned from wearing her “Wakanda-inspired catsuit” – a reference to the Marvel Comics film Black Panther – at future French Open tournaments. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Emily Madison is Miss Universe Ja
2. J’cans seek Diamond League glory in Zurich
3. Reggae Girlz hunt win against Bermuda
4. Fear grips Red Hills Road
5. Easton Douglas’ large legacy
6. Belmont rocked by double killing

1. Emily Madison is Miss Universe Ja

Nineteen-year-old Emily Madison, Miss Heaven’s Fesco, is Miss Universe Jamaica 2018. Madison, a past student of Campion College, walked away with the prestigious crown after an intense night of competition at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday night. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. J’cans seek Diamond League glory in Zurich

It will be to crunch time this Thursday and Friday as top athletes who qualified for the IAAF Diamond League finals will be hunting trophies and lucrative cash prizes in Zurich and Brussels, with the first of these finals set for Thursday in Zurich. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Reggae Girlz hunt win against Bermuda

Jamaica will look for their second consecutive win when they face off against Bermuda in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium today at 7 p.m. In the first game of the double-header, Antigua and Barbuda tackle Cuba at 4 p.m. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Fear grips Red Hills Road

After almost two years of relative peace, long-time rivals in Park Lane and 100 Lane off Red Hills Road in St Andrew have resumed their feud, leaving innocent residents fearful and looking to flee. The deadly violence resumed last Tuesday when 37-year-old Hafia Fowles, said to be the common-law wife of an incarcerated don, was fatally shot by gunmen in 100 Lane. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Easton Douglas’ large legacy

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the late Easton Douglas as a passionate public servant. Douglas, a former Minister of Housing and Health in the 1990s, died this morning after a period of illness. He was 81. In paying tribute, Holness said Douglas served Jamaica with honour and dedication. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Belmont rocked by double killing

The usually quiet community of Belmont in Westmoreland was rocked by the early morning double killing of two men today. The dead men have been identified as 41-year-old Fritz Gerard and 32-year-old Dwayne Bell, both masons. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

In a recent Forbes Magazine article, The Three Most Overlooked Marijuana Markets, Jamaica was listed as one of the “potentially more significant investment opportunities”

From the article:

“This one should be self-explanatory. Even though the U.S. put tremendous pressure on Jamaica not to “legalize it,” as Rastafarian Bob Marley said, “None of them can stop the tide.” People have been going to Jamaica for decades to smoke a spliff and listen to reggae. That is probably never going to change.

What does that mean to the global marijuana market? Jamaican cannabis is already world-renowned for its authenticity. People worldwide want to get their hands on proprietary Jamaican strains of tasty, Ital (natural), outdoor bud, even if they can’t go on vacation in Kingston or Negril.”  Read more here.

Read more here for a round up of studies done about marijuana in Jamaica.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Davina Bennett snubbed Miss Universe Ja?
2. Teacher shortage
3. Brown-Burke wants help for Constant Spring market vendors
4. Control your dogs, or we will -Shaw
5. NCB dismisses Hughenden ATM fraud claim
6. Women’s football programme needs help

1. Davina Bennett snubbed Miss Universe Ja?

Uzuri International Limited, the local franchise holders of the Miss Universe pageant, says it’s unfortunate that former title holder, Davina Bennett, decided to stay away from Friday’s grand coronation to hand over to her successor. Uzuri, in a statement, said Bennett had a duty to be present. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Teacher shortage

With less than a week to the start of the new school year, the exodus of seasoned teachers from the classrooms is presenting a fresh challenge for several institutions. Teachers of mathematics and related subject areas are of greater concern, evident by the high volume of advertisements in the newspapers from schools seeking to fill those vacancies. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Brown-Burke wants help for Constant Spring market vendors

The People’s National Party  Shadow Spokesperson on Local Government DrAngela Brown Burke says she’s profoundly disappointed at the manner in which the vendors at the Constant Spring Market in St Andrew are being treated. The vendors were recently served with eviction notices by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) to vacate the market by the end of September. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Control your dogs, or we will -Shaw

Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw said if it comes to that, the Government is prepared to ban certain types of dogs from entering the country in order to protect Jamaicans from being attacked and killed by these animals. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. NCB dismisses Hughenden ATM fraud claims

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) is dismissing a claim that its automated banking machine (ABM) at the Hughenden Pharmacy in St Andrew has been compromised. NCB says it received reports concerning a voice note being circulated with the claim. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Women’s football programme needs help

Chairperson of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) women’s programme, Elaine Walker-Brown, says there is need for more resources for its improvement. “We need to structure the schoolgirls’ league properly for it to run concurrently with the boys’ league, so we will have different age groups competing. With the resources that we have, it is the best we are doing at this time,” Walker-Brown told The Gleaner recently. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Too many idle hands in Red Hills?
2. Local investors urged to get into tuna
3. Injuries halt McLeod’s run
4. PSOJ CEO resigns
5. St James gangster killed
6. Feluke returns

1. Too many idle hands in Red Hills?

Small businesses along Red Hills Road, St Andrew, are reeling from the negative impact the recent upsurge in violence is having on them. Pointing out that there are too many idle hands in the communities in the area, they are demanding that the relevant authorities apply a serious approach to fixing the social ills across Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Local investors urged to get into tuna

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Audley Shaw is urging local and foreign investors to launch out into what he has described as the “blue economy” and invest in canned tuna for the export market, which he said is valued at approximately US$400 billion in the Western Hemisphere. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Injuries halt McLeod’s run

Leg injuries have forced Jamaica’s hurdler supreme Omar McLeod off track. McLeod, the World and Olympic champion in the 110-metre hurdlers, has suffered injuries throughout the outdoor season and last raced in July. Though he will miss this week’s Diamond League finals, McLeod is on the mend and looking ahead to next year. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. PSOJ CEO resigns

Jennifer McDonald, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), has resigned. PSOJ President Howard Mitchell made the announcement yesterday. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. St James gangster killed

A man who the police described as a top-tier member of the notorious Big Yard Gang, which is based in Granville, St James, was shot and killed by unknown assailants who pounced on him in the early hours of yesterday morning in the often volatile community. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Feluke returns

On September 24, a year to the day of his Healing concert, Denver ‘Feluke’ Smith will host the launch of his seven track EP – Insight. This anniversary event, is not just a matter of picking up where he left off. “I’d say it’s understanding what I’m supposed to do,” Feluke told The Gleaner. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Yetanya’s mom flees Arnett Gardens
2. Fuller backs Whitmore
3. Three Miles traffic changes
4. St Thomas lacking water
5. St Catherine soldier missing
6. 60% or no fifth form -Calabar

1. Yetanya’s mom flees Arnett Gardens

Worshippers at the Inner City for Christ Ministry in Arnett Gardens fell to the floor in fear as gunshots echoed outside the church in a daring gun attack late Tuesday night. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Fuller backs Whitmore

Former national striker Ricardo Fuller says Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore has been doing an excellent job with the national side and has called on corporate Jamaica to offer him more support. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Three Miles traffic changes

Major traffic changes are to be implemented by the National Works Agency (NWA) this Sunday as the agency presses ahead with the upgrading of Three Miles in St Andrew. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. St Thomas still lacking water

Residents of St Thomas are calling for an end to water woes which have plagued various communities in parish for over a decade. Scores of placard-bearing protesters gathered in Yallahs this morning to highlight the issue. Among the communities in the Yallahs area which are without water are Newland, Catholic Lane, Pondside and Hillside. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. St Catherine soldier missing

Forty-two-year-old Jamaica Defence Force soldier Ainsworth Willis, who is of Morris Meadows in Portmore, St Catherine, has been missing since Friday, August 14. The police say he’s of dark complexion, slim build and is about 5 feet 6 inches tall. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. 60% or no fifth form -Calabar

A decision by the Calabar High School in St Andrew to bar students who attain an average of less than 60 per cent from entering fifth form has not gone down well with some parents. The Gleaner obtained a copy of a letter from the school, signed by principal Albert Corcho, that stated that in order to “be promoted to grade 11, each boy MUST receive no less than 60 per cent for his overall average, along with good conduct. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. PM Youth Awards to focus on community leaders
2. 5.2 earthquake hits offshore Westmoreland
3. MoBay gets its first medical herb house
4. ‘Real tragedy’ – Woman’s body found in igloo
5. More traffic changes for Kgn
6. Reggae Girlz strike Cuba

1. PM Youth Awards to focus on community leaders

State Minister for Youth Floyd Green says there will be a renewed focus on rewarding community leaders at this year’s Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence. Green was speaking at a press conference today to announce the opening of application for nominations. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. 5.2 earthquake hits offshore Westmoreland

The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona is reporting that a 5.2 earthquake hit offshore Negril, Westmoreland this morning. The unit says the quake occurred at 9:35 a.m. approximately 150 kilometres west of the resort town. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. MoBay gets its first medical herb house

Not only does Montego Bay now have its own herb house, which trades as Island Strains, the cannabis being prescribed by doctors there is reaped from the first legal ganja-growing farm in western Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. ‘Real tragedy’ – Body of woman found in igloo

Approximately three months had passed since he last spoke to his daughter. She had made the decision to move out of the family home and experience life independently, but unbeknown to Dr Pastor Amos Campbell was that he would never see his daughter alive again. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. More traffic changes for Kgn

The National Works Agency (NWA) will today implement further traffic changes along Constant Spring Road in St Andrew. Effective 6 a.m., the section of Constant Spring Road between Cassava Piece Road and Mary Brown’s Corner will be converted into a one-way corridor for traffic heading from the direction of Manor Park towards Half-Way Tree. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Reggae Girlz strike Cuba

Jamaica’s senior women’s football team made it four wins in as many games with a 6-1 thrashing of neighbours Cuba in the CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Qualifiers at the National Stadium last night. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. Police Fed says cops ‘restive’
2. Christian lawyers speak out on abortion
3. Reggae Girlz ‘getting somewhere’
4. Police ticked off by wage talk delays
5. Fantasy Beach to be upgraded
6. Barrett blasted for ‘sexist’ comments on female refs

1. Police Federation says cops ‘restive’

The Jamaica Police Federation says it is to hold a series of consultations with its members on the way forward in their wage negotiation with the government. In a statement today, federation chairman Corporal Arleen McBean said rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are “very restive”, adding that “enough is enough”. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Christian lawyers speak out on abortion

Given what they believe to be “a culture of death” in the country, members of the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship (LCF) are urging Jamaicans to reject abortion and instead place more efforts on saving mothers and their unborn babies. Towards this end, president of the LCF, Helene Coley-Nicholson, is hoping that Jamaicans will support the group’s ‘A Time for Life’ campaign, which was launched yesterday at the New Testament Church of God headquarters at Fairway Avenue in St Andrew. The group is lobbying for the recommendation to decriminalise abortion to be aborted, among other things. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Reggae Girlz ‘getting somewhere’

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Women’s Committee chairperson, Elaine Walker-Brown is pleased with the camaraderie and grit showed by the team that advanced to the CONCACAF final stage of FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Walker-Brown who has been involved in women’s football since 1991, mentioned left back Lauren Silver as one of the main players responsible for the high morale in the camp. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Police ticked off by wage talk delays

“Disgraceful!” is the word used by chairman of the Police Federation, Corporal Arlene McBean, to describe a letter from Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke stating that he was unable to give a date for the continuation of wage negotiations for rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Fantasy Beach to be upgraded

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett recently announced that the Tourism Enhancement Fund will be financing the overhaul of Fantasy Beach in Priory, St Ann, as part of its National Beach Development Programme, over a two-year period. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Meikle blasts Barrett for ‘sexist’ comments on female refs

CONCACAF Referees assessor, Dave Meikle, has labelled Charles Barrett as ‘sexist’ after the former FIFA official told The Gleaner that too much emphasis is being placed on female referees. The comments riled up Meikle, who said that Barrett’s statement was backward and unfortunate, coming from a person of his stature. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Published in 2017, the latest State of the Jamaica Climate report “attempts to provide a concise overview of what is available and known about Jamaica’s climate”, and importantly make the case for the need to include climate considerations in decision making.

In a sentence, the summary of climate projections indicate rising temperatures, decreased rainfall, rising sea levels, and more intense hurricanes when they happen. The table below from the report provides details on the historical trend and projections.

What does this all mean? That everyone, everywhere is affected. There is an extensive section on impacts by the following categories:

• Development
• Education
• Gender
• Security
• Agriculture and Fisheries
• Livestock
• Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity
• Poverty
• Tourism
• Health
• Society
• Freshwater Resources
• Energy Supply and Distribution
• Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Impacts on Coastal Infrastructure and Settlements

See the graphics below from the report showing climate impacts at a glance.

The report contains Climate Vulnerability Profiles for specific geographic areas:

• Bluefields
• Negril
• Rio Minho
• Ocho Rios
• Black River
• Montego Bay
• Portmore

Everyone is encouraged to read the report.  Be more aware of what climate change means and see how the report can help us all to become more resilient.  Download the report here: The State of the Jamaican Climate

Since publication of this report, the community of Treasure Beach has taken steps to become climate resilient and adapt.  Read more here:  Treasure Beach is on the Climate-Smart Fast Track 

Your news in a nutshell

1. Tax on G Sugar!
2. American Airlines Goes Cashless in Jamaica
3. China Harbour to Redesign MoBay’s North & South Gullies
4. Portland to Benefit from 9 Cruise Ships
5. Ntini Edwards Shines with 8 Grade Ones in CSEC
6. Investment Property Purchases Rise As Short-Stay Rentals Spike

1. Tax on G Sugar!

Unscrupulous manufacturers working in tandem with corrupt customs officials and brokers are largely to blame for the dismal state of Jamaica’s sugar industry, a situation Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw warned.. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. American Airlines goes cashless in Jamaica

As of Monday, September 17, American Airlines passengers travelling from both the Sangster International and the Norman Manley airports will be required to use a debit or credit card to make transactions with the airline. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. China Harbour to redesign Mobay’s North & South gullies

Dr Horace Chang, Member of Parliament (MP) for North West St James, said the government has engaged the services of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited to redesign the drainage system in Montego Bay to prevent further flooding. Last November, following four hours of continuous rainfall, the second city experienced extensive flooding, which resulted in millions of dollars in damage to residential and commercial buildings.

See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Portland to benefit from 9 cruise ships

Nine cruise ships are slated to arrive in Port Antonio, Portland, over a five-month period, which will represent a significant improvement in tourist’s arrival to the resort town.Port Antonio, which is the island’s cradle of tourism, has been struggling with tourist arrival since the fleet of Norwegian Caribbean Cruise line and Royal Caribbean vessels pulled out in the 1980s, taking their business elsewhere.

See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Ntini Edwards shines with 8 grade ones in CSEC

While attending Gibraltar All-Age School in St Ann, it wasn’t difficult for one to detect that Ntini Edwards would emerge to become a brilliant student, such was her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. The Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) results of 2013 saw her emerging as the top student overall in the Noranda Bauxite annual scholarship awards, where she earned a cheque for $25,000 and a laptop on her way to attending St Hilda’s Diocesan High in Brown’s Town, St Ann.

See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Investment property purchases rise as short-stay rentals spike

Jamaican realtors, property developers and bankers selling mortgages are reporting more interest in investment property purchases, and a concurrent upswell in mid-income developments in Kingston that is partly a response to that demand. Devon Young, a developer who is finalising a new residential complex in Kingston called The Hamptons, financed through the Jamaica Mortgage Bank, (JMB), told the Financial Gleaner that over 90 per cent of interest in the property was driven by prospective short-term rental business through Airbnb.

See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Why is it that the most valuable land in Kingston is far away from the coast? In most modern metropolises all the most valuable land is right on the coastline. Kingston has had it backwards for a very long time.

Not anymore it seems.

New reporting out of the Washington Post and studies from Harvard, the Journal of Financial Economics and the non-profit First Street Foundation are all saying the same thing – Sea Levels have been rising for the past 100 years, faster in the last 25. And they will continue to rise for the next 100 years, even by as much as 1.3 metres (4.3 feet).

Areas of Kingston 21 like Miami Beach are only 0.7 metres above sea level putting them in impending danger.

Climate Gentrification is the study of how consumers are changing purchasing habits by increasing the values of land at higher elevation more rapidly, while land values at lower elevation either decreases or grows slowly.

Researchers estimate that the Miami-Dade area itself has lost nearly half a billion US$ (US$500mln) in value in just a dozen years.

What does this mean for the development of low elevation development in Jamaica? Areas like downtown Kingston, South St. Catherine, Ocho Rios and Savanna-La-Mar, for example? It means planners need to take such things into consideration when making zoning plans for future development.

Read more:

What’s Happening With Jamaica’s Climate?

Sea level rise is eroding home value, and owners might not even know it

Climate gentrification: from theory to empiricism in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Content Provided by: Mdk Advisory & Consulting Ltd., a strategic advisory firm offering a wide range of services to a cross-section of clients in the private, public and non-profit sectors

Your news in a nutshell

1. NESOL verbal corruption
2. Another Monymusk bailout commitment
3. 20 sure of Windrush compensation
4. Police cars useless
5. St James most wanted killed
6. Image is everything for athletes

1. NESOL verbal corruption

“Verbal corruption” allowed the state-owned National Energy Solution Limited (NESol) to hire a private firm, Peak Energy Solutions Limited, and pay it millions of dollars for service rendered without a contract in place. That was the charge of Fitz Jackson, an opposition member of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), at a meeting yesterday. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Another Monymusk bailout commitment

For the third consecutive year, the Government will dip into its coffers to bail out farmers contracted to plant cane for the Monymusk sugar factory in Lionel Town, Clarendon, according to Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. 20 sure of Windrush compensation

The Home Office – a ministerial department of the British Government – has so far reviewed nearly 12,000 cases of detentions and deportations in wake of the Windrush saga, according to Asif Ahmad, the British high commissioner to Jamaica. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. Police cars useless

The long-running police used-car saga involving the Government and O’Brien’s International Car Rental and Sales has taken a new twist. Yesterday, Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) was told that the 66 cars that have been handed over so far failed the rigour of regular police work. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. St James most wanted killed

TWO MEN- one of St James’ most wanted and another believed to be one of his cronies – were killed yesterday morning when they allegedly engaged the police in a fierce gunfight in the Chelsea section of Irwin, which is located on the outskirts of Montego Bay. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Image is everything for athletes

Sports publicist Tanya Lee says there is not enough appreciation for the importance of marketability among athletes. Lee was speaking with The Gleaner about sporting teams building better partnerships with their sponsors and the importance of player endorsements in strengthening such relationships. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Your news in a nutshell

1. 80% of J’cans got Chik-V
2. Decomposing body of murder suspect found
3. Actor Burt Reynolds is dead
4. JFF, Umbro unveil new kits
5. Hurricane Florence now Category 2
6. Not enough referees

1. 80% of J’cans got Chik-V

Yesterday, the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey III confirmed the widely held speculation that more than half of Jamaicans were infected with the chikungunya virus (chik-V) when it swept across the island a few years ago. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Decomposing body of murder suspect found

Linton Stephenson, the 59-year-old Seventh-day Adventist deacon wanted for the murder of a 25-year-old Mandeville woman has been found dead in Manchester. The police say Stephenson’s decomposing body was found at his Bloomsville Circle home in the parish. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Actor Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds, whose credits included acclaimed films such as “Deliverance” and commercial hits like “Smokey and the Bandit,” has died. The handsome film and television star died at age 82, according to his agent Todd Eisner. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. JFF, Umbro unveil new kits

Umbro has unveiled the new home and away kits for the Jamaica Football Federation National Teams, with a campaign inspired by the unique culture and energy of the Caribbean nation.​ See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

5. Hurricane Florence now Category 2

Hurricane Florence, the first major storm of the Atlantic season, dropped to a Category 2 storm on Thursday and further weakening is expected later in the day as it continues to head towards Bermuda, forecasters said. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. Not enough referees

Victor Stewart, manager for the referees department at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has admitted that he is struggling to provide enough officials to man the upcoming schoolboy football and men’s and women’s premier league seasons. See full story on The Gleaner’s website.

They say a picture tells a story better than any article every could. The Main JSE Market has a market capitalization of approximately J$1.215Trillion. Three out of the 33 securities on the Main JSE Market occupy just less than 49.7% of the market capitalization. Putting that into perspective, 3 companies are worth J$603Bln, almost as much as the next 30 companies on the stock exchange combined.

All three companies, as expected, are financial entities, with NCB Financial Group occupying nearly 23% of the market capitalization of the entire exchange. As expected, the other two are Scotia Bank Jamaica and Sagicor Jamaica.

NCB’s market capitalization alone is greater than the combined market capitalization of companies 10 through 33 on the Main Exchange – companies such as Caribbean Cement, Jamaica Broilers Group, Wisynco, Seprod and Jamaica Producers.

Taking this concept a step further, we looked at 98 securities on the combined market – Main Market, US Market, Junior Market and Preference Share listings.

Interestingly, in this scenario, there are now 4 stocks to rule them all. The usual 3 financial stocks with the addition of Kingston Wharves Ltd., a security which has seen its share price (and market capitalization) double in 2018. The largest stocks are still very large though, as NCBFG alone has a bigger market capitalization than the bottom 82 securities.

Are these valuations justified? We’ll dig a little deeper to find out. However, it is intriguing to think that possibly there are other companies in Jamaica that the public would love to invest in and that would really move the needle on capital formation in Jamaica.

Content Provided by: Mdk Advisory & Consulting Ltd., a strategic advisory firm offering a wide range of services to a cross-section of clients in the private, public and non-profit sectors