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ONLINE SHIELD - Study finds widespread support for regulating social media use by minors

July 29, 2026 | News
One in every four Jamaican caregivers says children under their supervision have experienced sexual exposure or grooming attempts linked to social media use. The finding formed part of a national study commissioned by the Ministry of Health & Wellness to guide potential state regulation of social media use for minors. Of the 1,027 adult participants asked to indicate the kinds of negative encounters minors in their care have been exposed to, 16.5 per cent said sexual content, while 9.1 per cent said unwanted sexual messages or grooming.
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Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa experience to help shape UN Human Development Report

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will use lessons from Jamaica's experience with Hurricane Melissa to help shape its 2026 Human Development Report (HDR), with a focus on how climate change is affecting human development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The announcement followed a consultation and Thought Leaders Dialogue hosted by the UNDP and the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the Mona School of Business. The discussions gathered qualitative data and policy recommendations that will contribute to the development of the global report.
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Man damages several vehicles in busy Half-Way-Tree traffic

A man believed to be of unsound mind damaged several vehicles in the heart of Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, early this morning. The man was seen using what appeared to be a machete to smash several vehicles as they travelled along the busy thoroughfare. Some motorists slowed and tried to veer out of his path as they saw him approaching. Vendors in the area said he was walking in the roadway with a bleeding foot while shouting, "Help me!" Several police officers responded to the scene and apprehended him.

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Updated 11 hours ago

ONLINE SHIELD - Study finds widespread support for regulating social media use by minors
One in every four Jamaican caregivers says children under their supervision have experienced sexual exposure or grooming attempts linked to social media use. The finding formed part of a national study commissioned by the Ministry of Health & Wellness to guide potential state regulation of social media use for minors. Of the 1,027 adult participants asked to indicate the kinds of negative encounters minors in their care have been exposed to, 16.5 per cent said sexual content, while 9.1 per cent said unwanted sexual messages or grooming.

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From left: Zoe Hobbs of New Zealand, Amy Hunt of England, and Jonielle Smith of Jamaica compete in a women’s 100 metres semi-final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday.
Published 14 hours ago

Jamaican sprinters slowed in Scotland

Despite entering the 100 metres with high expectations, Jamaica endured a disappointing evening on the track, failing to secure a medal in either the men’s or women’s final on day two of the athletics programme at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It was a rare sight at the Commonwealth Games for the 100m podium to be without a Jamaican athlete, but that was the reality yesterday as both Ackeem Blake and Rohan Watson failed to advance to the men’s final. In semifinal one, Watson’s time of 10.12 seconds saw him placing sixth and far outside of a qualifying spot.

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From left: Parnell, played by Tesfa Edwards; Pearl, played by Dahlia Harris; Arlene, played by Maylynne Lowe; and Jah Jah Royal, played by Everaldo Creary, in a scene from ‘Hurricane Hataclaps’.
Published 14 hours ago

‘Hurricane Hataclaps’ provides energetic entertainment

With the alliteratively named Hurricane Hataclaps showing at the Little Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Drive, Dahlia Harris has another hit on her hands. For the comedy, the multi-talented playwright, producer, director, actress and radio and television personality is able to use the skills associated with those professions with the help of a large team of clever designers and a backstage crew.

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Updated 9 hours ago

Derrimon to sell Drax Hall lands to REIT managed by Different Capital

Derrimon Trading plans to sell a 12.36-acre parcel of land in Drax Hall, St Ann, to an entity managed by Different Capital at roughly 40 per cent below its independently appraised market value – in a move that would shore up cash flow for the supermarket operator. Documents obtained by the Financial Gleaner show that the parcel is owned by Arosa Limited, a subsidiary of Derrimon Trading. The land was independently valued by V.B. Williams Realty Co Ltd at US$7.8 million, or roughly $1.25 billion, with a forced-sale value of US$6.24 million.

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Participants are guided through a 9D Breathwork session at Yahsuh Fitbox in St Andrew on Saturday.
Updated 10 hours ago

Reset through 9D Breathwork - LeVaughn Flynn helps others regulate well-being, soothe nervous system via guided breathing practice
The COVID-19 pandemic marked the beginning of an unexpected wellness journey for communications manager LeVaughn Flynn. Drawn to holistic healing modalities, Flynn discovered breathwork during the global health crisis. Today, he is introducing others to 9D Breathwork, a guided breathing practice designed to soothe the nervous system and help people regulate their mental, physical and emotional well-being. According to Flynn, his interest began during COVID-19.

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Updated 10 hours ago

Editorial | AI and education

Whatever people’s perspectives may be on the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) decision to phase out its school-based assessments (SBAs), the move, as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says, should be a catalyst for urgent action towards a national policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the island’s schools.

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