Inspector

We wish to advise that the United States has announced an indefinite pause on certain visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Jamaica, effective January 21. This development may impact Jamaicans who are in the process of applying for immigrant visas, particularly those seeking permanent residence through family or employment sponsorship.
At this time, U.S. authorities have not provided a clear timeline for when processing will resume. While reports indicate the pause is linked to enhanced screening and public charge assessments, full details and official guidance are still emerging.
What this means for Jamaicans:
Individuals applying for immigrant visas (including family-based and employment-based green cards) may experience delays or temporary refusal of processing.
Persons planning to reunite with family members in the U.S. could face extended waiting periods.
Applicants are advised not to make irreversible travel or relocation plans until further clarification is provided.
Those who already hold valid U.S. visas should verify their status before travel, as rules may vary by visa category.
We encourage affected individuals to:
Monitor official updates from the U.S. Embassy in Kingston and the U.S. Department of State.
Consult with a qualified immigration attorney for case-specific guidance.
Avoid misinformation and rely only on credible sources for updates.
We will continue to share verified information as it becomes available

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1 day ago | [YT] | 5

Inspector

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica has a new leader.
The PSOJ has officially appointed Patrick Hylton, OJ, CD as its President, effective immediately, marking a new chapter for the influential business body.
Hylton replaces Metry Seaga, who recently concluded a three-year term guiding the organisation through a critical period of national and economic change.
A former President and CEO of NCB Financial Group, Patrick Hylton is one of Jamaica’s most experienced corporate leaders, with over three decades in banking, finance, and executive management. His appointment signals a strong focus on strengthening productivity, improving competitiveness, and driving sustainable economic growth across the country.
The PSOJ says Hylton’s leadership is expected to deepen private sector engagement and support policies aimed at building a more resilient and prosperous Jamaican economy

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2 days ago | [YT] | 8

Inspector

St. James Launches $50 Million Integrated Vector Control Programme
The St. James Health Department, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has officially launched a $50 million Integrated Vector Control Programme aimed at significantly reducing vector-borne diseases in high-risk communities across the parish.
The initiative targets major public health threats such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, with a strategic two-pronged approach.
First, the programme focuses on reducing the Breteau Index a key indicator used to measure mosquito breeding sites per 100 houses. This means intensified inspections, larviciding, and community monitoring to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes thrive.
Second, the project introduces a comprehensive rodent control programme, which includes:
Community clean-up campaigns
Improved waste management efforts
Public education drives to encourage residents to remove breeding and nesting sites in and around their homes
Health officials say the programme is designed not only to reduce current risks but also to build long-term community resilience against vector-borne diseases.
Residents are being urged to play their part by keeping their surroundings clean, properly disposing of garbage, covering water containers, and cooperating with public health teams.

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3 days ago | [YT] | 26

Inspector

As Jamaica welcomed 2026, Prime Minister Andrew Holness chose to begin the year on the ground in Black River, standing with communities still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
Rather than celebrations, the focus was recovery.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to rebuilding, restoring essential services, and supporting the most vulnerable residents as assessments continue and life gradually returns to normal.
He made it clear that the work is far from over.
Later that evening, the Prime Minister attended a fireworks celebration in St. Bess, a moment that quickly sparked public discussion, with some questioning why he did not observe the celebrations in Westmoreland instead.
But leadership is rarely about pleasing everyone.

In moments of national recovery, a leader’s presence in one community does not signal neglect of another. What matters most is action, consistency, and results on the ground.
Outcomes should carry more weight than optics, and continued focus on rebuilding and resilience remains the true measure of leadership.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 55

Inspector

The United States has carried out what was described as a large-scale strike in Venezuela, an operation that reportedly led to the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from the country.
According to Venezuelan officials, the operation took place at the Fort Tiuna military complex, where Maduro was staying. Former U.S. President Donald Trump later announced that the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela until what he called a “proper transition” is put in place. Maduro and his wife were reportedly flown to New York to face long-standing U.S. charges related to narco-terrorism.
The move has sparked international concern over sovereignty, legality, and regional stability.
For countries like Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, the situation raises serious questions. If a powerful nation can take control of a resource-rich country, what does that mean for smaller states? Does access to oil or strategic resources make nations more vulnerable?
It also puts the spotlight on CARICOM and whether the region can speak with one voice to defend sovereignty, promote diplomacy, and push for peaceful solutions.
In moments like this, the question isn’t just about Venezuela.
It’s about what kind of world small nations are living in.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Inspector

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica’s recovery and resilience remain a top priority as the new year begins, with renewed focus on restoring electricity and strengthening affected communities following Hurricane Melissa.
Speaking at the handing over of 175 additional specialised vehicles on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to Jamaicans still without power. The move is aimed at accelerating restoration efforts, particularly for the remaining 12 per cent of customers yet to have electricity restored.
The newly deployed fleet includes bucket trucks, diggers, pole trailers, and support units, all essential tools needed to speed up repairs and ensure safe operations in hard hit areas. These resources will support linemen working alongside Jamaican, Caribbean, and international crews currently on the ground.
With this latest handover, the total number of specialised vehicles deployed since Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28 has now reached approximately 260, reflecting what the Prime Minister described as a deliberate and coordinated recovery strategy.
The Government of Jamaica continues to work closely with the Jamaica Public Service to ensure restoration efforts remain people focused, guided by urgency, and strengthened through partnership, as the country moves steadily toward full recovery.
#AndrewHolness #jps #recovery #hurricanemelissa #westmoreland #Jamaica

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1 week ago | [YT] | 17

Inspector

History almost lost her to doubt.
Dr. Alexa Canady would become the first Black female neurosurgeon in the United States, but before the titles and the milestones, she was told she did not belong in an operating room and that her hands were not steady enough for brain surgery.
They told her a Black woman did not belong in an operating room.
She became a neurosurgeon anyway.
Dr. Alexa Canady made history as the first Black female neurosurgeon in the United States, but the journey almost ended before it began.
As a college student, Canady struggled with self doubt and questioned whether she truly belonged in science or medicine. Everything changed during a summer research program that exposed her to patient care and reignited her confidence.
From that moment on, she pursued medicine with purpose. She graduated with honors, entered one of the toughest surgical training programs in the country, and pushed forward despite constant doubt and dismissive remarks.
In 1981, Dr. Canady shattered barriers. She later specialized in pediatric neurosurgery, where precision mattered as much as compassion. Her calm presence and deep empathy made a lasting impact on countless children and families.
She would go on to become chief of neurosurgery at a major children’s hospital, proving that excellence does not need permission.
Her story is a reminder that doubt does not define destiny, barriers are meant to be broken, and perseverance changes history.

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 15

Inspector

Prime Minister Andrew Holness relocated the government’s traditional Christmas outreach, taking the annual children’s treats out of Kingston and into communities that were directly impacted by the recent hurricane.

Speaking during the event, the Prime Minister said the decision was intentional, noting that these communities are still in recovery and that it was important for children to experience joy, normalcy, and reassurance during the holiday season. He emphasized that while rebuilding continues, the emotional and social well-being of children must not be overlooked.

Holness also used the opportunity to call for national solidarity, urging Jamaicans in areas that were less affected by the storm to support and uplift communities that suffered greater damage. He described shared responsibility as a key part of the country’s recovery process.

The event focused on bringing music, laughter, and festive cheer to children, with the Prime Minister stressing that the initiative was about reminding them that they are seen, valued, and cared for, even as recovery efforts continue across the island.
#andrewholness #jamaica #viral

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 85

Inspector

Jamaica’s Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, has been elected President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), marking a significant moment for Jamaica and Small Island Developing States on the global environmental stage.

In his acceptance statement, Samuda underscored the urgency of global environmental stewardship, declaring that environmental protection is no longer optional. “Environmental stewardship is no longer an isolated agenda item, it is the defining challenge of our century,” he said, pointing to Jamaica’s frontline experience with climate impacts.

Samuda emphasized that his presidency will be guided by inclusivity, transparency, and practical action, adding that he stands on behalf of countries that understand the urgency of protecting the natural world through lived experience.

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest decision-making body on environmental matters. It reviews environmental policies, facilitates global dialogue, and sets the strategic direction of the UN Environment Programme. As President, Samuda will serve as guardian of the Assembly’s rules of procedure, convene plenary and committee meetings, and oversee negotiations, including working groups on resolutions.

Earlier this week, Jamaica also threw its support behind two major global environmental resolutions on coral reef protection and sargassum seaweed, reinforcing the country’s leadership in ocean and coastal resilience.

Addressing the Assembly, Samuda highlighted Jamaica’s escalating climate-related losses, including the US$8.8 billion devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The storm inflicted damage equivalent to 41 percent of Jamaica’s GDP and destroyed 51 percent of the island’s primary forests in a single day.

He warned that back-to-back hurricanes, tropical storms, record heat, and severe droughts over the past four years have exposed the extreme vulnerability of Small Island Developing States to what he described as the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Samuda’s election signals a stronger voice for climate-vulnerable nations and a renewed call for urgent, collective global action.

#Jamaican #UN #climate-resilient #climatechange #news #breakingnews ##worldnews #politics ##jamaicanews

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1 month ago | [YT] | 49

Inspector

🚨 BREAKING: Grand Slam Track Files for Bankruptcy. Athletes Still Owed Millions! 🚨

Grand Slam Track, the high-profile startup league that launched with a massive $12.6 million prize pool and global star power from athletes like Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Marcell Jacobs, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The league, which once claimed to have $30 million in backing, managed to host only three meets in early 2025 before abruptly cancelling its final event in Los Angeles. Founder and Olympic legend Michael Johnson later revealed that the sudden withdrawal of a key investor triggered severe cash-flow issues.

Even after Johnson secured emergency financing and paid out $5.5 million to athletes in October, Grand Slam Track still owes an estimated $19 million in prize money and operational debts.

Johnson says there will be no 2026 season unless every outstanding payment is settled. Many of the sport’s biggest stars are still waiting, and fans are left wondering if this ambitious league will ever return.


#michealjohnson #Noahlyles #Jamaica #USA #sports #gradslam

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1 month ago | [YT] | 3