The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled a new rule on Thursday that has sparked criticism from immigration advocates, particularly concerning the impact on Caribbean and other asylum seekers.  Through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the DHS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to apply statutory bars to asylum earlier in the process. National security and public safety measures Under the proposed rule, asylum eligibility will be determined earlier to identify and exclude individuals deemed to pose a national security or ..read more

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has lavished praise on departing striker Jonson Clarke-Harris following his final game for the club in Wednesday night’s playoff draw against Oxford United. Despite the disappointment of failing to advance to the League One playoff final for the second consecutive season, Ferguson hailed Clarke-Harris as an “incredible signing” for the club. Reflecting on the match and the season as a whole, Ferguson expressed immense pride in his players and thanked them for their efforts throughout the campaign. He reserved special recognition for Clarke-Harris, ac ..read more

Don Quarrie, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist in the 200 meters, has strongly criticized the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) for the current dilemma facing Jamaica’s men’s 4×400-meter relay team regarding qualification for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Speaking on Thursday’s edition of Sports Grill on Hitz 92 FM, Quarrie expressed his disappointment with the performance of Jamaica’s men’s mile relay team at last weekend’s World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. The team failed to secure automatic Olympic qualification, leading to concerns about their participation in the event at ..read more

Powerful storms battered Florida and other Southeastern states on Friday, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread damage.  Damaging winds uprooted trees and downed power lines following days of severe weather that had already brought tornadoes to Michigan, Tennessee, and other states. Wind gusts of up to 114 km/h, just shy of hurricane force, were recorded in Tallahassee. Reports are that the storm left a trail of destruction, with twisted fencing and mangled debris from damaged buildings strewn across the Florida State University baseball stadium. The National Weather Ser ..read more

In the throes of persistent gang violence, over 30,000 residents of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes. Recent months have seen a severe escalation in hostilities, with gangs launching coordinated attacks that have brought the metropolitan area to a standstill. Critical water supply efforts amidst chaos Amid the chaos, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the National Directorate for Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and other organizations, has managed to distribute over 2.6 million liters of safe drinking water to displaced fami ..read more

St. Kitts and Nevis has initiated a 15-day gun amnesty, aiming to tackle the surge of illegal firearms and ammunition on the island.  The amnesty, effective from Friday, May 10 to Saturday, May 25, 2024, follows the recent passage of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2024. Turning in illegal firearms without prosecution During the amnesty period, individuals have the opportunity to surrender illegal firearms or ammunition at any police station in St. Kitts or Nevis without fear of prosecution.  Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew emphasized that people can also deliver weapons or ammunition ..read more

The Guyana government has approved a defense cooperation exercise with the United States, allowing two U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets to fly over Georgetown and surrounding areas.  The exercise was organized by the Guyana Defence Force and coordinated with the U.S. Southern Command. According to Guyana’s government, the purpose was to deepen the ongoing security cooperation between the two nations. Venezuela’s condemnation Venezuela criticized the exercise, accusing the U.S. and Guyana of conspiring to provoke regional instability. Caracas viewed the move as a direct threat ..read more

In response to escalating violence in schools, Jamaica’s Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, outlined a multipronged strategy during the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.  The cornerstone of this initiative is the Safety and Security Policy aimed at averting school-related incidents.  This policy incorporates a variety of physical security measures, including the examination of student’s school bags and extensive training programs for school personnel to detect early warning signs and intervene effectively.  Additionally, the plan invol ..read more

In the Cayman Islands, permanent residents who have yet to settle their annual fees are receiving a crucial reminder. The Workforce Opportunities & Residency Cayman (WORC), formerly known as the Department of Immigration, is actively enforcing compliance with immigration regulations.  They emphasize the importance of paying the required fees annually by the anniversary date of their granted status. Consequences of non-payment Residents with permanent status are warned that neglecting to pay these fees promptly and in full could lead to severe consequences. WORC has stated that failur ..read more

NBA Hall of Fame Patrick Ewing has introduced a new sneaker, the Ewing Rogue “Jamrock,” as a tribute to Jamaica, his birthplace, through his Ewing Athletics brand. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Ewing moved to the United States in 1975. His illustrious basketball career includes standout performances at Georgetown University and a successful 17-year tenure in the NBA, notably with the New York Knicks. Throughout his career, Ewing proudly represented his Jamaican heritage. The Ewing Rogue “Jamrock” draws inspiration from the Jamaican flag, featuring a black and green leather upper with yellow leath ..read more