On October 2, the world commemorates the life of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence, which was declared by the United Nations in 2007. Mahatma Gandhi’s voice emerged from India, yet his message was universal: that justice and...
This newspaper may have misread Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ posture on constitutional reform in the immediate aftermath of last month’s general election. As we indicated in our October 2 comment in these columns, The Gleaner assumed that it was...
ILLEGAL TRADE is one of the reasons why Jamaica’s 2018 national trade policy promoted the mainstreaming of trade, ensuring that trade, legal and illegal, are reflected in the policies of the relevant ministries, department and agencies, and are...
“Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are at the heart of the sport’s problems. I’ve watched too many teammates struggle to compete in a sport they love without the support they need ... I am done pretending this...
In Apocrypha, our favourite fantasyland where all politicians are friends and Oma D’unn solves political problems by parable, a spotlight was on lawyers. Chief Prosecutor Pauline Broadback decided to consult Oma after a contentious interview by...
The recent report of big losses being sustained by Jamaica’s government-run aerodromes highlights both the collapse of internal airline travel and the government’s struggle to breathe life into a limping domestic aviation sector. That, however, is...
Perhaps it’s a case of the maxim that no news is good news. Which, of course, is not always that case. That is why The Gleaner expects from the Office of the Political Ombudsman a full report and analysis of its activities during the recent...
Why is the Caribbean suddenly the focus of lobbying by groups like the World Vapers’ Alliance, Smoke Free Sweden and We Are Innovation? The answer is clear; our region is being targeted as an entry point for industry-driven narratives designed...
Sickle cell disease (SCD) results from the inheritance of a sickle cell gene from both parents or a sickle gene from one parent and another abnormal haemoglobin gene from the other parent. This causes abnormalities in haemoglobin, which is a...
By now, most of us have heard of all the classic climate change solutions. But, after hearing the same things over and over again, it would be nice to mix it up a little. So, let’s explore some of the more outlandish ideas that the human...
There is no society which has prospered without the foundation of stable families. Nikki is 30, petite and pretty. Looks like she’s slightly spaced out but denies any drug use other than cigarettes. (How does she or anyone afford them anyway?)....
I am honoured to come to this beautiful “land of wood and water” and serve as the 17th Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica. Reputed as the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, Jamaica is uniquely charming with its beautiful natural scenery...
Sometimes, it is unimportant who one is; but more significant is the ‘where’, because external statuses can clash and one must be sensible enough to know where the respective lines end or begin. To enter every situation in the same frock makes a...
The Gleaner notes, and welcomes, the undertaking by the Government and the Opposition that their members will be regular, and punctual, at meetings of the legislature, including its committees, during the life of the current Parliament. “We know...
Several years ago, our two dogs went missing for a while. We went from a state of shock and confusion to stark panic, dismay, gut wrenching distress, emotional pain, and then elation when they were finally back home. I therefore cannot even begin...
On September 19, Kingston’s urban corridors and transport hubs uptown were flooded in just ninety minutes of intense rain, and resulted in probably over a billion dollars in damages. Flooding in Kingston due to aged and shoddy infrastructure works...
Last week my gardener used a piece of wire and began pulling out a variety of empty banana, potato, cheesy wrappers, etc., from the underside of my vehicle. I was caught in the flooding of September 19. The drive home, which usually takes half-hour...
The Gleaner is hopeful for the success of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) the UN Security Council greenlit this week for Haiti, but looks forward to how the mission unfolds. The devil, as usual, is in the details. Who, and how, the mission will be...
When I was born, the Brits had the Africans and the Indians cutting cane. When I was three years old, a nearby neighbour had daily newspapers and she taught me how to read. At that time, the Brits had newspapers and the Oxford English Dictionary....
The Dominican Republic (DR) is hosting the 2025 Summit of the Americas – a gathering of the heads of state and government of 32 countries of the Western Hemisphere. On September 30, the government of the DR publicly stated that Cuba, Nicaragua, and...
“Keep us free from evil powers” (Jamaica National Anthem). Jamaica is a country with strong and pervasive religious beliefs about the connection between the material world and the spirit world. This worldview is a synthesis of Judeo-Christian...
People are still mourning the loss of Tyra Spaulding, a 26-year-old former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant who is suspected to have committed suicide in her home. Tyra’s case is a very chilling one, particularly because she documented much of her...
It’s rare that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals have an opportunity to celebrate the positive outcome of a good idea proposed by the region’s leaders. That’s because they, too often, do not implement their plans. This time, however, The...
RESPONSIVE PARENTING is at the heart of supporting neurodivergent learners. As neurodivergent prevalence rates continue to rise in Jamaica, these documented differences in brain functioning determine how these children learn, communicate, behave,...
