The right to know: an upcoming forum on Access to Information in Kingston on January 21, 2026

January 19, 2026

If you don’t know, you are ignorant. And the darkness, or the twilight, of not knowing (or half-knowing) is not a good place to be. That is when we complain about “lack of transparency” – and next week, a Public Forum in Kingston, Jamaica, will be addressing this very issue. How can we clear away … More The right to know: an upcoming forum on Access to Information in Kingston on January 21, 2026

A day of hope for the Ocean as Global Ocean Treaty takes effect, but there’s a long “to-do” list

January 18, 2026

Today (Saturday, January 17, 2026) a critical agreement for the protection of our high seas takes effect: the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) – yes, it’s a mouthful! Known for short as … More A day of hope for the Ocean as Global Ocean Treaty takes effect, but there’s a long “to-do” list

“Cockroach nuh business,” the thrill of a new KFC, congrats Gavin, and the cameras are here: Jamaican News, January 8 – 14, 2026

January 16, 2026

Sorry, this is a little late – but I hope this news will enlighten you! Before I start I must share with you a thoughtful and moving article by a young Jamaican, Candice Stewart, now a Global Voices colleague. It’s an article that she should be very proud of. It’s partly an account of her … More “Cockroach nuh business,” the thrill of a new KFC, congrats Gavin, and the cameras are here: Jamaican News, January 8 – 14, 2026

United Oil and Gas starts explorations off Jamaica’s south coast this month: here are some details

January 13, 2026

It seems we are all talking about oil again, with the United States’ antics in Venezuela and ships chasing each other. However, let’s pause for a moment. Isn’t it well established by now that the major emitters of greenhouse gases, the big fossil fuel companies, are responsible for the phenomenon of climate change, which is … More United Oil and Gas starts explorations off Jamaica’s south coast this month: here are some details

We need to find the final resting place of Amy Ashwood Garvey (1897 – 1969)

January 11, 2026

Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey is part museum, part library, and an essential focus point for discussion and learning centred around the life and work of Jamaica’s National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey. It is a rather plain, solid concrete building standing at 76 King Street in downtown Kingston. It is a branch of … More We need to find the final resting place of Amy Ashwood Garvey (1897 – 1969)

A Wild West start to the year: Jamaican News, January 1 – 8, 2026

January 9, 2026

It’s a New Year. Let me know what you think of my reporting on this first week of the year, dear readers. There is still a lot of huffing and puffing over various aspects of hurricane relief – or can we call it recovery now? Our political leaders issued New Year messages that no one … More A Wild West start to the year: Jamaican News, January 1 – 8, 2026

Something a bit more “newsy” perhaps this year…

January 9, 2026

2026 is here, and off to a rather dramatic start, to say the least. We are all swamped with information these days. Much of it is not particularly interesting to me, so I pick out the interests and issues I am following: environment, climate change, human rights, books and writers, etc. I used to write … More Something a bit more “newsy” perhaps this year…

2026 Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry Competition is launched, and there are four categories

January 6, 2026

Young poets, older poets… Now is your time! Deadline is March 2, 2026, so hurry up! National Library of Jamaica Opens Entries for the 2026 Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry Competition Kingston, Jamaica – January 5, 2026 – The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ), through its Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme, officially launches the 2025/2026 cycle of … More 2026 Poet Laureate Prizes for Poetry Competition is launched, and there are four categories

A “Love Island” for endangered Caribbean iguanas, and the matchmaking is working out

December 31, 2025

Here’s another story about a Critically Endangered species – but perhaps more hopeful than the last one I posted here, as it appears to have a happy ending, while the story of the Grenada Dove still has a question mark at the end. I am a big fan of Re:wild, Leo DiCaprio’s environmental organisation which … More A “Love Island” for endangered Caribbean iguanas, and the matchmaking is working out

“It’s a Moral Responsibility” to protect all animals that have no voice (including our dove), say Grenadians

December 30, 2025

A number of participants at a workshop which took place on October 8 and 9, 2025 at St. George’s University on the lovely island of Grenada felt this way. Many attended in person, others online at the meeting, held under the aegis of the Gaea Conservation Network and supported by American Bird Conservancy, BirdsCaribbean, and … More “It’s a Moral Responsibility” to protect all animals that have no voice (including our dove), say Grenadians