WESTERN BUREAU: Gloria Henry, vice-president for business process outsourcing (BPO) and logistics at the Port Authority of Jamaica, says Jamaica’s BPO sector is positioning itself to adapt to rapid technological change, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), while strengthening the country’s workforce to remain competitive in the global services industry.

Six months after Hurricane Melissa battered sections of western Jamaica, hundreds of residents in Westmoreland are still struggling to recover – and for many, a simple food package is making all the difference. With it being Easter this weekend, a time usually marked by family gatherings, church services and celebration, many in the parish are instead facing the harsh reality of going without food, electricity and stable housing.

WESTERN BUREAU: Mark Hart, chairman of the Montego Bay Free Zone Company, has endorsed the Government’s long-term plan to relocate business process outsourcing (BPO) operations from the coastal Freeport peninsula to purpose-built facilities along the new highway corridor. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, in his recent Budget Debate presentation in Parliament, outlined a sweeping vision for reshaping the economic geography of western Jamaica as major road infrastructure comes on stream.

In keeping with the Education Regulations of 1980, the Jamaica College (JC) student charged with wounding a classmate last Tuesday is to face the personnel committee of the school’s board, principal Wayne Robinson has revealed. Following a statement issued by the board on the March 24 incident – which left one boy with a broken nose and the other arrested – Robinson told The Gleaner that proper procedures will be followed, particularly as the matter could become a legal one.

Retired former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has warned the 15-member Caribbean bloc, CARICOM, that it must “integrate or perish” in the face of mounting threats to international law, shifting political dynamics, and economic pressures affecting the region. Speaking at the Norman Manley Law School during the Council of Legal Education’s Distinguished Lecture Series 2026 yesterday evening, Patterson said the regional body risks failure without stronger systems to enforce its decisions.

A 30-year-old man who was caught vaping on an MRT train in a viral video has been identified by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and is assisting with investigations.In a post shared on Instagram on Wednesday (April 1), the HSA said a search of the man's home found one vaporiser and one pod.The viral video, posted to Facebook last Friday (March 27), shows the man in a black jacket discreetly vaping in a train cabin while using his jacket to cover his actions.On March 6, Parliament passed a new law aimed at clamping down on vaping and etomidate abuse, which imposes stiffer fines on users, sellers, and smugglers.Under amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, vape users can be fined up to $10,000 from May 1 — five times the current amount. It was also reported on March 6 that more than 5,100 people were caught for vape-related offences in the past six months, including 593 who used K-pods.

Singapore residents will soon be able to enjoy pig's blood again after local authorities approved the import of such products from an accredited slaughterhouse in Thailand.In an online circular on Wednesday (April 1), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it has granted approval for heat-treated pork blood products from Bangkhla Pig Slaughterhouse after conducting food safety assessments.Each consignment of pig's blood products from the accredited slaughterhouse must have an official health certificate issued by Thai authorities, which certifies that the import complies with Singapore's animal health and food safety requirements.«Traders are reminded that pork and pork products can only be imported from SFA-approved sources,» the circular stated.Expected in Singapore stores within 1 to 2 monthsCP Foods Singapore will be the importer of pig's blood from Thailand, reported Lianhe Zaobao on Wednesday.The food distribution firm reportedly told the Chinese publication that it has been selling pre-packaged pasteurised pig's blood curd from Bangkhla Pig Slaughterhouse in Thailand for years.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has safely disposed of a World War II-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) at a construction worksite along Tanah Merah Coast Road on April 2 (Tuesday).The UXO, assessed to be a 250kg World War II Japanese aerial bomb, was discovered during construction works on March 31.It was was then disposed of through a controlled operation after the situation was assessed by the SAF’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives team.The operation involved the setting of protective works including an overhead cover constructed using compacted sandbags.

Ce 1er avril, impossible de croire quoi que ce soit sur les réseaux ! Marques, médias et internautes se sont lâchés avec des poissons d’avril toujours plus malins. Boostés par l’IA, certains canulars ont piégé même les plus méfiants.

US military planners are pushing ahead to gain additional access to Greenland, indicating Donald Trump's sustained interest in the island.

MLB umpire CB Bucknor was having a bad week already when he took to the field for Wednesday's game between Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Artemis II successfully lifted off into space, marking the start of a history-making ten-day journey to the moon for the first time since 1972.

Earlier this month, the actor, 56, sparked romance rumours with his Scarpetta co-star Nicole, 58, after they were seen holding hands at the show's premiere.

President Donald Trump claimed near victory in the Iran war during a low-energy address Wednesday night in the White House's Cross Hall.

The Supreme Court criticized the government for filing unnecessary appeals, imposing a Rs 25,000 cost on the Centre for challenging a High Court order. The High Court had reinstated a CISF official terminated for allegedly helping a couple elope, ruling the girl was an adult and married willingly. The apex court questioned the government's role in court pendency.

US President Donald Trump has urged other countries to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz Read Full Article at RT.com

The president’s address comes as the White House tries to contain the consequences of a conflict that has sent gas prices soaring and soured Americans’ feelings about Trump.

President Trump is set to address the nation at 9 p.m. ET in what is set to be his first prime-time address since the U.S. and Israeli assault on Iran began.