Forgotten victims 

Before Hurricane Melissa, they had a home, a livelihood, friends of their own age and a sense of normalcy. Seven months later, all that remains is each other, a weathered couch and an ageing handheld radio through which they follow a world that has largely moved on without them.
Forced from their home after Melissa ravaged Providence, St Elizabeth, Mervin and Avis Jones now spend their days at their daughter's house in Avon Park, St Catherine, far removed from the life they once knew. With no income and few possessions salvaged from the storm, the elderly couple say each day is a struggle to maintain hope.

Interim Reggae Boyz head coach Rudolph Speid says he has no regrets about taking an inexperienced Reggae Boyz squad to this year's Unity Cup tournament, stating that the experience will pay dividends for Jamaica in the years ahead.
Jamaica's campaign ended in disappointment yesterday after the Reggae Boyz suffered a 3-0 defeat to defending champions Nigeria in the final at The Valley Stadium in South London.

While some were busy doing manual work over the Labour Day weekend, others were engaged in the digital world watching movies, including the newest release, Chokehold, on the streaming platform Tubi. Chokehold, which features an international cast including its lead actress, Jamaican Sherando Ferril, chronicles the pitfalls and pain of an abusive relationship, and the resilience required to get out of it and all the ramifications that may follow. This comes at a time when the ‘Me Too’ movement has made significant advancement, plus many female celebrities have gone public about their personal experiences in an effort to help others have the courage to find their own voice and walk away.

When Claudette Crooks set out in 2022 to build a commercial project in Kingston, she had a pointed challenge for Jamaica’s pension fund managers: Instead of investing incremental amounts in New York and London, invest here.
Pension fund managers, credit unions, other investment firms and one individual backed Crooks’ idea and Thursday morning The Sana, a US$25-million, 103,000 sq ft mixed-use landmark at 5–7 South Avenue, Kingston 10, near Half-Way Tree — broke ground. 

Lenise Hewling is crystal clear on the identity for the luxe accessory brand eLSH, which she introduced to the world last August. "I had a desire to create pieces that felt deeply personal and enduring," explains the handbag designer and West Palm Beach, Florida, resident. "[I wanted to make] objects with soul, story, and presence." 
She is hard at work, deftly cutting full-grain cowhide leather sourced from Italy, when she jumps on a Zoom call to discuss inspiration and brand building. For the philosophical Hewling, stitching eLSH's minimalist bags crafts a narrative that extends beyond being statement makers for the fairer sex. 

France last week made a second symbolic move in a possibly fruitful, but likely long, and potentially fraught, tango on reparations for slavery. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) must urgently, and aggressively, engage Paris in the dance.
In particular, CARICOM should deepen its partnership on the reparations issue with Martinique and Guadeloupe, two of France’s overseas departments in the Caribbean, which have sought associate membership of the community.  Martinique has already signed the formal accession agreement, while Guadeloupe is still negotiating its status.