WESTERN BUREAU: Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the topping out of Tower One at The Pinnacle marks a major step forward for Jamaica’s tourism diversification strategy. However, he insists that luxury development must go hand-in-hand with rebuilding homes, improving public order, and ensuring workers benefit from the sector’s growth. Speaking at the ceremony for Jamaica’s new tallest building, Holness said the Government remains acutely aware of the national mood following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Defending the decision to lend the Jamaica Public Service Company US$150 million towards its early restoration efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has shrugged off criticisms, labelling them as “misinformation and noise”. Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Vaz again defended the Government’s decision, saying he was confused by the criticism. The decision to make the multimillion US dollar loan to the privately owned JPS has been widely criticised and the subject of fiery parliamentary sittings.

Residents of Phoenix Park Village in Phase 3, Portmore, St Catherine, were left shaken yesterday after a reported police operation ended in gunfire, leaving one alleged robber dead and another on the run. The incident, which unfolded along Hellshire Drive, has ignited fresh anxiety in the gated community, where homeowners say crime has been quietly creeping in despite heavy investments in security. Residents say explosions echoed across the midday atmosphere, and The Gleaner arrived in time to see the scene littered with spent casings.

The administrative arm of the Houses of Parliament has been found wanting as the Auditor General’s Department places the spotlight on a $24-million contract to renovate the Members’ Lounge at Gordon House, as well as procurement breaches in the purchase of 16 air-conditioning units. A special audit was conducted by the Pamela Monroe Ellis-led Auditor General’s Department into the operations of Parliament following allegations of mismanagement at the seat of the nation’s legislature.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah honored former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. Modi lauded Mukherjee as a «towering statesman and a scholar of exceptional depth,» highlighting his dedication and intellectual contributions to Indian democracy. Shah emphasized Mukherjee's profound constitutional understanding, stating his life and work will continue to inspire the nation's democratic path.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill providing $800 million in Ukraine aid Read Full Article at RT.com

US President Donald Trump has said that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky should be “realistic” and hold elections Read Full Article at RT.com

Promotional clips of women posted without their consent are being used by criminal gangs to advertise their services providing migration routes to the UK and Europe, Daily Mail has found.

The much-loved Confessions of a Shopaholic writer passed away on Wednesday following a three-year battle with brain cancer.

The victim was walking between Old Run View and West Grange Road at 10.50am on Monday when the incident occurred, West Yorkshire Police said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a message for Australia.

Carmela has a rare muscle-wasting condition, which affects just one in a million children across the world.

Après la découverte de plusieurs dizaines de kilos de stupéfiants dans un conteneur arrivé des États-Unis, une enquête ouverte en mai 2025 a permis d’identifier un réseau structuré d’importation de méthamphétamine et d’anabolisants. Huit personnes ont été interpellées et de nouvelles saisies ont été réalisées. 

The Supreme Court questioned Delhi Police on invoking stringent UAPA provisions against riot accused for speeches, seeking justification for linking terror acts to their words. Justices sought clarity on how Section 15, pertaining to terrorist acts, applies when arms weren't directly used by the accused, who have been jailed for over five years.

A carpooling photo of Prime Minister Modi and President Putin became a talking point in the US Congress, highlighting concerns over the Trump administration's India policy. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized past actions, stating that coercive partnerships damage crucial alliances. She emphasized the urgent need to mend the US-India partnership for mutual prosperity and global leadership.

«Russia always stands for resolving all problems between countries politically and diplomatically,» the Russian embassy in Phnom Penh said

A 22-year-old soldier was killed by a Cambodia shell, Khaosod reported

According to the press service of the lower house of parliament, the decision was made on the recommendation of lawmaker Luis Felipe de Orleans e Braganca

Luis Arce «will be faced with charges and the judge will decide whether he will defend himself out of prison or not,» Roger Mariaca told a news conference

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill providing $800 million in Ukraine aid Read Full Article at RT.com

«As a matter of fact, it is seeking to set forth unacceptable for Russia terms, and its next step will be to simply accuse it of breaking down the talks,» Rodion Miroshnik said

Sergey Shoigu’s program includes talks with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Vilay Lakhamfong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Chansamone Chanyalath

North Korean leader also met with Alexander Matsegora’s family and embassy employees

The US leader earlier confirmed that the United States has detained a tanker off the Venezuelan coast

«The riches of the Venezuelan soil will never be plundered either by gringo invaders or by any empire,» the president stressed

BANGKOK – If Team Singapore had not sensed the danger before these SEA Games, they were in for a rude shock on Day 1 of the swimming competition on Dec 10 at the Huamark Aquatic Centre as rivals from Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines loomed large in the rearview mirror before overtaking them in events they have long dominated.While they have topped the swimming medal standings since 2005 and have done so by healthy margins in the past decade, national swimming head coach Gary Tan acknowledged the tough competition his team face as he called these Games the most challenging one since the 2013 meet when they won 12 out of 32 events.He said: “The girls, especially, were coming into something that was tougher than the last few editions. The competition has gotten better and tighter. There’s a lot of swimmers coming through from different countries... but we will take it in our stride and fight every single day.”

A 41-year-old male personal mobility device (PMD) rider was taken to hospital following an accident with a car in Bishan on Tuesday (Dec 9).The accident took place at the junction of Bishan Road and Bishan Street 11 at about 7.35pm.The intersection is about 200m away from Junction 8, a popular heartland shopping mall. A video of the accident posted on Facebook page Roads.sg shows the man riding across the pedestrian crossing while the traffic lights are not in his favour.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) are holding their seventh bilateral exercise, codenamed Exercise Cooperation, in Singapore from Dec 10 to 17. In a news release on Wednesday (Dec 10), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said this year's exercise will focus on urban counter-terrorism operations. The exercise, conducted at Safti City for the first time, will feature a battalion-level field training exercise. «Participants from both armies will also engage in tactical drills, small arms live firing, use of drones for basic reconnaissance and patrol, and cohesion activities,» said Mindef, adding that the interactions aim to strengthen professional exchanges and enhance people-to-people ties. The exercise will involve 90 personnel from the 3rd Singapore Division and 1st Commando Battalion, and 90 personnel from the PLA Southern Theatre Command's 74th Army Group. 

The US has seized an oil tanker off Venezuelan coast amid the standoff between Washington and Caracas Read Full Article at RT.com

Venezuela has accused the US of planning to “plunder” its resources Read Full Article at RT.com