Commentary

A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama.
December 9, 2025

David Cox | Case for tariff reform in the Commonwealth Caribbean

Ever since the US Government announced that it would raise tariffs on imports earlier this year, a global debate was reignited on the role tariffs play in a country’s economic policy. If nothing else,…
President Donald Trump attends a joint press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers near Aylesbury, England.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Watch the drug list

Jamaica’s appearance on America’s list of countries that are either major producers or transshipment points for illicit drugs will be discomforting for Kingston, but isn’t, on its face, a source of…
Gleaner editorial writes: ... if Dr Holness is serious, the reset can’t be merely cosmetic. It requires a full relaunch, a real search for compromise by the government and the Opposition, and a broader, and deeper, engagement of national stakeholders.
December 9, 2025

Editorial | A constitutional reset

Apart from Andrew Wheatley’s return from seven years in political purgatory, the most notable feature of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ new Cabinet is the ditching of Marlene Malahoo Forte, and the…
The Prime Minister and members of his cabinet pose for a photo: In front row (from left) are: Desmond McKenzie; Dr. Horace Chang; Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness; Olivia Grange; Robert Montague. Second Row: Daryl Vaz; Pearnel Charles Jr; Audrey Marks; Da
December 9, 2025

Peter Espeut | Some steps forward

A new cabinet with mostly old faces was sworn in on Wednesday. Time will allow for more critical analysis, but I must mention two positive developments, and one must give praise where praise is due.…
In this August photo, low water level is seen in Mona Reservoir.
December 9, 2025

Kristen Gyles | The perennial drought

I have now had an uninterrupted water supply for two days straight. This is truly cause for jubilation since, as of July, when the NWC announced its annual water restriction schedule, water has been a…
The Mighty Sparrow, Trinidadian calypso singer
December 9, 2025

Tony Deyal | Blue blue, boo boo or who?

Have you seen Lord Melody? The police are making inquiries Please if you see the Boo Boo man Get in touch with the nearest police station Ah hear he have a big maintenance case Causing a…
Youths use wheelbarrows to carry debris out of their homes, which were damaged by gang violence, in the Solino neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
December 9, 2025

Ronald Sanders | Haiti needs single strategy, real money, and political discipline

I return to a focus on Haiti because it is too easy for the world to discard the situation in that beleaguered country. In part, it is precisely because insufficient attention has been paid to Haiti…
File photo
December 9, 2025

Editorial | Extend personal income tax debate

With the general election concluded with another victory for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the Holness administration should extend with itself the debate about income tax policy it had with the…
Major Basil Jarrett
December 9, 2025

Basil Jarrett | Don’t sit on it – your prostate will thank you

SOME DAYS ago, I had to visit a friend at the Tony Thwaites Wing (TTW) of the University Hospital of the West Indies. TTW has always puzzled me. For years, it had sort of developed a reputation as the…