No instant relief Jamaican Teas CEO John Mahfood, while welcoming the United States (US) Supreme Court’s decision to strike down tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration, has warned that he does not anticipate any immediate impact on Jamaican exports to the US as a result of yesterday’s ruling. Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Mahfood said, “It will probably take the whole of this year before we may begin to see if prices will return to pre-tariff levels.”
Expert warns misuse of bleach can damage skin, cause fatal poisoning For many Jamaicans, bleach is a trusted household staple used to clean kitchens, disinfect surfaces, and even treat water in times of emergency. But improper use, especially without correct dilution or when mixed with other chemicals, may be quietly causing skin damage and other health problems that often go unreported. That is the warning from Sherika Whitelocke-Ballingsingh, poison information coordinator at the Caribbean Poison Information Centre, College of Health Sciences at the University of Technology.
Babymother denies Allen, friends were gunmen, gangsters The mother of Mark Allen’s daughter yesterday firmly denied that he and one of his friends, who were killed alongside him in January 2013, were gunmen, rejecting defence suggestions that they were part of a criminal network operating out of Grants Pen in St Andrew. The woman was testifying in the Home Circuit Court in the trial of six policemen charged in connection with the January 12, 2013, fatal shooting of Allen, Matthew Lee and Eucliffe Dyer during a police operation along Acadia Road in St Andrew.
Mom of 3 battles cancer and impact of Melissa WESTERN BUREAU: Nickeisha Black, a 34-year-old mother of three young children, who resides in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, has been fighting a hard battle with Stage-3 colorectal cancer since 2024, and her situation was made even more difficult by the damage Hurricane Melissa did to her home.
Opposition wants timeline for phasing out asset tax Senators on both sides of the political divide yesterday locked horns over a timeline for eliminating the asset tax paid by financial institutions, which should have been phased out about a decade ago. Members of the Upper House were debating two bills – the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026 and the Asset Tax (Specified Bodies) (Amendment) Act – which provide for a limited adjustment to the annual filing and payment dates of both taxes, moving the final returns and payment dates from March 15 to April 15, starting with the 2025 year of assessment.
Common-law couples cautioned against duplicate hurricane claims within households WESTERN BUREAU: Pearnel Charles Jr, minister of labour and social security, is cautioning residents against submitting multiple hurricane relief applications from the same household, warning that the practice could delay or disqualify legitimate claims under the Government’s Shelter Recovery Programme.
Settling into motherhood Western Bureau: For many young Jamaicans, the decision to start a family is becoming increasingly complex. The cost of living continues to rise, some young couples have limited support systems and they’re not sure what the future for them and their child holds. However, for two women who welcomed newborns at the start of the year, motherhood has been a deeply emotional journey with mixed emotions of love and fear.
Westmoreland Chamber urges balance on proposed digital, sin taxes WESTERN BUREAU: Moses Chybar, the president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, is urging the Government to strike a careful balance as it moves to impose new taxes on digital services, alcohol, cigarettes and sugary drinks to meet the demands of the economic fallout caused by Hurricane Melissa. According to Chybar, the chamber understands the financial strain caused by the hurricane, acknowledging the widespread infrastructural damage caused and the significant funding gap it has created.
LITERACY SOS Pembroke Hall High School Principal Reverend Claude Ellis is calling on the Government to redirect its resources into the primary and early childhood sectors to address educational gaps being identified in students at the secondary level. Ellis, whose school receives students reading several levels below grade seven, said if this is not done, some high schools may continue to function as remedial centres.
Former CARICOM leaders urge repeal of US exec order targeting Cuba’s fuel supply WESTERN BUREAU: Caribbean former heads of government have issued an extraordinary joint appeal condemning what they describe as a “catastrophic fuel blockade” against Cuba, warning that the island’s 11 million citizens face severe humanitarian consequences. In a statement released on Wednesday, the former leaders condemned a January 29 United States executive order targeting nations that supply oil to Cuba, arguing that the measure amounts to economic warfare and risks deepening an already fragile humanitarian situation.