WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s tourism sector has rebounded to more than 80 per cent of pre-hurricane levels, with the reopening of Half Moon signalling renewed confidence in the island’s post-Melissa recovery. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the recovery has been driven by the steady return of hotel rooms and visitor arrivals, supported by continued investment in the sector.

Senior trade unionist Senator Lambert Brown this week cautioned that the Government’s move to scrap incentive and emergency duty allowances for doctors who are mandated to work overtime could have a detrimental impact on the health sector should frustrated doctors decide to consider their options. Brown, who was making his closing submission Wednesday on behalf of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA) to a panel of three adjudicators at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT), said the medical professionals were just asking to be treated fairly.

A new initiative aimed at tackling market-access challenges facing small farmers in Jamaica is set to roll out through a 90-day corporate farmers’ market pilot programme spearheaded by Reality Focus Limited. The programme was developed in response to long-standing difficulties within the agricultural sector, particularly the challenge small farmers face in securing reliable and consistent markets for their produce, Reality Focus Operations Manager Stephen Richards told The Gleaner.

There were tears on both sides of the aisle as Jamaica College ended a 39-year drought to lift the Television Jamaica (TVJ) Schools’ Challenge Quiz (SCQ) defeating Westwood High School 30 – 28 in a fiercely contested final at the TVJ studios on Thursday.

WESTERN BUREAU: Warning that insurance alone is not enough to safeguard businesses from disaster, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Jason Russell is urging entrepreneurs to strengthen their financial preparedness and build resilience to withstand unexpected shocks. Russell made the call while addressing final-year business students at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) Western Campus Business Seminar held recently at the Sea Gardens Beach Resort.

A disciplinary panel looking into whether Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh had contravened the party's constitution following his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee has completed its probe.In a statement on Saturday (April 4), the Workers' Party said the panel will present its finalised report and recommendations to the central executive committee in April.It added that notice for a special cadre members' conference will be issued within two works of the submission.The panel was formed in January after Singh's failed appeal against his conviction.  It comprises WP MPs He Ting Ru, Assoc Prof Jamus Lim and former Hougang MP Png Eng Huat. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on countries not to become “vassals” of the US or China Read Full Article at RT.com

A man living in a rental flat in Jurong West returned home from a trip to an alarming sight — an unknown naked woman in his bed.The tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, told Shin Min Daily News that the incident took place on March 2 at The Lakeshore condominium at Jurong West Street 41, where he had rented a bedroom for $1,050 a month since August 2025 on a one-year lease.He had gone to his hometown for Chinese New Year with his wife and, upon his return, opened the door to his room and found a topless woman, wearing only her underpants, sleeping in his bed.He told the Chinese daily: «She was startled awake when I opened the door and immediately told me to close the door quickly so she could get dressed, then hurriedly left. »I clearly remember locking the door before leaving, and suddenly seeing someone lying in my room terrified me!"He was glad his wife had not returned to the flat with him as he would be in deep trouble.

A batch of orange marmalade sold in Singapore is being recalled as a precautionary measure after the European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued a notification on its recall over the potential presence of glass shards.In a media release on Friday (April 3), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it has directed the importer of Alain Milliat Orange Marmalade (300g) to recall the implicated product.The affected batch, which originates from France, has the lot number C250422AT, and an expiry date in April 2028.Under the Sale of Food Act, foods known to be unsafe for consumption should not be sold.Those who have purchased the implicated product should not consume it.People who have consumed the product and have concerns about their health should seek medical attention.[[nid:732954]]editor@asiaone.com No part of this story can be reproduced without the permission of AsiaOne.

SINGAPORE – Madam Siti always kept her two-room rental flat in Bukit Merah tidy and made sure her three sons had enough to be happy about.Hari Raya Aidilfitri – a celebration marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan - was especially important for the 41-year-old Indonesian and her family, with homes to visit and relatives to see.But not this year.Madam Siti spent March 21 at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery with two of her sons, aged 14 and 11.They were there to remember and grieve: Her son, Muhammed Qayyim Daniel Putra Rosli, or Qayyim as he was affectionately known, is buried there.The 13-year-old drowned in the Kallang River on Feb 25 while fishing with friends.Madam Siti's husband, Qayyim's Singaporean father, is not around, and she has had to bear the burden of raising the family and the grief over her son's death on her own.«Qayyim's mother is still sad and grieving. She's not ready to face the media,» said the boy's uncle, who gave his name only as Mr Sham.«But I am grateful that we all managed to visit Qayyim at the cemetery on the first day of Hari Raya.»

Upset over the noise that pickleball gameplay creates, a Clementi resident has allegedly stood in a nearby court to prevent players from continuing their match, Shin Min Daily News reported on Thursday (April 2).Residents of Block 410 and 411 at Commonwealth Avenue West have reported incessant noise from a pickleball court in their vicinity, according to Stomp.Citing a resident that spoke with the publication, groups of up to 12 would purportedly begin playing around 8am, continuing for multiple hours.Speaking with Shin Min Daily News on Wednesday, a Clementi resident surnamed Lim told the Chinese-language publication that an elderly man had allegedly approached the group of pickleballers last month, fed up with the noise.He demanded the pickleballers to stop playing, but was directed to a sign that they were playing within the designated time period.«When the players ignored him, the man stood in the centre of the court and used his body to prevent them from continuing to play,» Lim told Shin Min.

The Iranian military also advised «host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage»

The order would create new regulations around athlete compensation, transfers and other hot-button issues. It is expected to face legal challenges.

In a significant maritime achievement, an Indian LPG tanker has successfully maneuvered through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, flanked by six compatriots that have already reached Indian shores. However, the tension persists as seventeen Indian vessels, two of which are LPG carriers, hold position on the western side, biding their time for a chance to make the journey.

'Obviously, I was trying to stay strong,' she says. 'But there was a point when I just wanted to just get in there and shake him, to say to him, «What have you done?»'

Cruz Beckham appeared to take another dig at his estranged brother Brooklyn as he whipped up pancakes for girlfriend Jackie Apostel in a new TikTok video. 

Marcelino Abad Tolentino (pictured), who was from a remote village in Peru, sadly passed away in his sleep at a care home on Monday, just five days before his 126th birthday.

For most visitors allowed within the heavily guarded perimeter of His Majesty's naval base at Faslane the highlight of their stay is usually a chance to see up close one of the Vanguard-class submarines

Iranian state media shared footage appearing to show a US A-10 Warthog aircraft being blown out of the sky on Friday, and reports say a second US aircraft, an F-15E Strike Eagle, was also shot down.

The government plans to reconvene Parliament for a special session to pass women's reservation legislation for 2029. Despite opposition parties questioning the timing and motives, they've largely supported the proposal itself. The NDA is confident due to broad past support and women's growing influence as voters, anticipating passage of key bills.

The Congress party has criticized the BJP's recently announced 'special session', accusing it of violating campaign regulations, particularly regarding the contentious women's quota bill, which they claim is aimed at influencing voters in Tamil Nadu and Bengal. They express concern over proposed adjustments to parliamentary seats, warning it could marginalize smaller states and exacerbate regional inequalities.

The Diocesan Mission Office of the Anglican Diocese of Banks and Torres has sent warm Easter greetings to its members across TORBA Province and beyond, calling for reflection, unity, and renewed faith during the holy season.

The Chairman of Wawa Council of Chiefs of South Pentecost, Chief Pita Watas, has called on Nangol tour operators to respect the tradition of the nangol ceremony.

President Nikenike Vurobaravu has extended his Easter message to the nation, calling on citizens to reflect on the true meaning of the season and renew their faith in God.

Air Vanuatu is in the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as the national carrier works to rebuild and strengthen its operations following a turbulent period.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has called on Vanuatu students to reject a new Indonesian scholarship programme, describing it as propaganda on West Papua and what it terms “chequebook diplomacy.”

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the Daily Mail's latest coverage of the Iran war on the 35th day of the conflict. Two US warplanes crashed in the Middle East today - with one of the pilots still missing.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer are vulnerable, officials said. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appears more secure.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow the Daily Mail's latest coverage of the Iran war on the 35th day of the conflict. Two US warplanes crashed in the Middle East today - with one of the pilots still missing.