AGP Executive Report

Housing Milestone in Boston: JGE Architecture + Design has completed Brookley Flats, a 45-unit affordable homeownership project in Jamaica Plain, turning a former industrial site into a sustainability-focused community with artist live/work units and shared amenities. Local Redevelopment Push: Pennrose and the Hyde Square Task Force broke ground on the Blessed Sacrament redevelopment in Jamaica Plain—an old church set to become a mixed-use, mixed-income project with 55 affordable apartments and youth arts space, aiming for completion by end-2027. Jamaica in Sports Spotlight: Shericka Jackson leads nine Jamaicans heading to the Wanda Diamond League in Xiamen, China, while Eric Chelle has added late Unity Cup call-ups Sor and Al-Ameen to the Super Eagles squad. Diaspora & Culture: Stefflon Don sold her music catalogue to HarbourView Equity Partners, and Shaggy’s “Shaggy Day” was marked in Brooklyn. Health & Seniors: The MOH launches the Park Walker Initiative for older adults in Montego Bay on Friday, with walks, screenings, and wellness activities. Travel Demand: Wingo expects 700,000+ passengers in the mid-year travel season and is adding new routes including Montego Bay.

Hurricane Watch: NOAA is forecasting a “below normal” Atlantic season for 2026—8 to 14 named storms, with up to three major hurricanes—driven by El Niño, but officials warn it only takes one bad system to cause major damage. Central Bank Moves: The Bank of Jamaica kept its policy rate at 5.5% and says US-dollar demand is outstripping supply, after selling US$30m via its forex intervention tool. Tourism Boost: Jamaica won Best Destination–Caribbean, while the Jamaica Tourist Board took Best Tourism Board–Caribbean at the TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards. Local Governance: In Montego Bay, Mayor Richard Vernon is cracking down on Old Shoe Arcade vendors over alleged fencing tampering and improper shop orientation. Courts: A Supreme Court judge reissued contempt warnings in the Tesha Miller faction trial over anyone filming accused persons. Health & Safety: MOH gave Caymanas Park 30 days to fix drainage and sanitary issues after inspections. Sports & Culture: Jamaica’s Darian Bryan won Next Level Chef Season 5, and Wolmer’s marked 297 years with a tech-focused push toward its 300th anniversary.

War Accountability: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand grilled CENTCOM’s admiral over reports that Iran strikes hit dozens of schools and healthcare facilities, with the UN calling it a breach of international humanitarian law. Local Crime: In St Mary, police say a contractor found dead in a decomposing state was wanted for questioning after an alleged machete attack on his child’s mother during a domestic dispute. Hurricane Watch: NOAA expects the 2026 Atlantic season to be below normal as El Niño develops—fewer storms on paper, but officials stress “one big hit” can still be catastrophic. Sports Spotlight: Jamaican striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw won Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year after a title-winning WSL season. Health & Resilience: Jamaica is set to expand cancer screening and treatment capacity with IAEA technical support, including boosting mammogram services. Housing Update: Government says 924 containerised housing units are already on island for Hurricane Melissa displaced families, with more due soon.

US-Cuba Tensions: The US has deployed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean as Washington moves to unseal an indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of civilian planes. Jamaica Economy & Costs: Jamaica’s BOJ is being urged to keep its benchmark rate at 5.5%, while Petrojam says fuel prices rise Thursday. Disaster & Safety: Heavy rain and thunderstorms have flooded parts of New York City, and in Jamaica the NWA says a St Mary road collapse was triggered by a burnt culvert after fires—while Clarendon saw dozens of students injured in a bus crash. Labour & Services: Labour matters are set to be reorganised, with a new push to put labour oversight under one ministry, plus health insurance for farm workers heading to the US. Football & Culture: Portmore United stormed into the JPL final after extra-time drama, and the Reggae Boyz Unity Cup squad includes fresh teen call-ups as pageants and new TV drama keep the spotlight on Jamaica’s entertainment scene.

Caribbean Tourism & Travel: Southwest is pushing Jamaica closer for U.S. travellers with nonstop Chicago–Montego Bay roundtrips from about $338, timed for late June into early July. Sports (Jamaica in the spotlight): Khadija Shaw powered Manchester City to the WSL title with a 4-1 win over West Ham, finishing on 21 goals in 22 league games. Football (Unity Cup): Nigeria’s Eric Chelle named squads for the Unity Cup and Europe friendlies, with Arthur Okonkwo earning a first Super Eagles call-up after switching allegiance. Local Business & Energy: JPS reported lower first-quarter profits as revenue slipped and finance costs rose, while the Financial Select Fund posted a net loss of about $50.6M for the quarter. Culture & Music: Vybz Kartel announced his new album “God & Time” for June 5, with pre-orders now open.

CPL Ticket Rush: Republic Bank CPL group-stage tickets for Antigua, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis and Saint Lucia go on sale Friday, 22 May, with a 48-hour Visa priority window from 20–21 May to grab the best seats fast. Hurricane Relief Fix: Government says delays under the ROOFS programme will be eased with direct cash payments in Phase 2 after complaints about limited collection points and slow processing. PATH Speed-Up: The Labour Ministry says PATH approvals will move faster—people provisionally approved under the first step will be pushed to temporary payable status while verification is tightened. Crime Update: Police have charged a fourth suspect in the murder of Digicel employee Kevin Walker, alleging a robbery that ended in stabbing and dumping. Social Sector: Labour and Social Security also announced two mobile units to expand early stimulation for children in deep rural communities. Economy Watch: Bank of Jamaica offers $27b in 30-day certificates of deposit to help contain inflation.

Police Accountability: Jamaica’s Indecom is investigating a protest shooting in Granville, St James, after CCTV showed an officer firing at a vehicle and killing Latoya Bulgin, 45, during crowd control linked to a prior police shooting. Transport Disruption: In the wider region, the Long Island Rail Road strike has ended after a deal, but service restarted in phases with commuters still facing delays. Health Alert: The WHO is warning of the “scale and speed” of a deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, with an emergency declared and no vaccine for the strain driving the surge. Music & Culture: Popcaan lands on Drake’s new album Maid of Honour, while Boyz II Men are set to headline the St Kitts Music Festival. Jamaica Spotlight: Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Gabrielle Henry returned to public life at a charity gala in Atlanta, months after a serious stage fall left her in ICU.

Granville Shock and Outrage: Latoya Bulgin (“Buju”) was fatally shot during a police response to a protest, triggering road blocks and anger in St. James; Jamaicans for Justice and the Umbrella Groups of Churches are calling for a truly independent, fast probe and stronger body-worn camera use, while the Police High Command has interdicted the officer and INDECOM is being urged to move quickly. Tourism Push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is set for a big jump in airlift and hotel investment, citing 1M+ visitors and US$956M in earnings in Q1, plus new Porter routes into Montego Bay and a CTO Air Connectivity Summit in 2027. Tech and Education Wins: UTech plans a two-megawatt solar system to cut power costs by half, while a UTech computer science student lands a fully funded AI/tech internship in Japan. Sports and Culture: Kingston hosts the first ATP Challenger in the English-speaking Caribbean this August; Shericka Jackson and Nickisha Pryce start the Diamond League with dominant wins; and the Kingston Harbour cleanup gets spotlighted at the GraceKennedy Foundation’s June 5 lecture. Economy and Daily Life: Starlink raises Jamaica’s monthly internet price by 6.4% from June 18; IMAJ warns cement shortages are hurting construction.

INDECOM Probe: Jamaica’s INDECOM has launched an investigation into the fatal police shooting of 45-year-old Latoya Bulgin (“Buju”) in Granville, St James, after CCTV footage went viral and the body-worn camera debate flared again. Police Accountability: INDECOM is appealing for witnesses as it weighs the “necessity and proportionality” of force, while police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake defends the phased rollout of body cameras as “sustainable” and already deployed across the island. Public Safety: In St Andrew, police say two masked men shot and killed 30-year-old Jerome Ellis (“Keno”) at a bar in Cassava Piece, and a manhunt is underway. Regional Spotlight: Curacao named its first-ever 2026 World Cup squad, led by veteran Gaël Kakuta’s surprise recall and coach Sébastien Desabre’s 26-man selection. Airlift Push: Jamaica will host the Caribbean Tourism Organization Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston in 2027 as the region fights for more flights. Weather Watch: RADA warns Jamaica’s agriculture outlook is shifting as La Niña fades toward more neutral conditions, with possible El Niño later this year.

Granville policing crackdown: Jamaica Constabulary Force High Command has ordered the immediate interdiction of the officer involved in the Sunday shooting of Latoya Bulgin in Granville, St. James, with INDECOM and professional oversight bodies now investigating after CCTV review. Protest tensions: Bulgin later died in hospital, as residents say the shooting happened during a protest over the earlier police killing of 17-year-old Tjey Edwards. Public health watch: In Westmoreland, health authorities have heightened hantavirus surveillance at ports of entry and urged people to ignore fake health notices online while strengthening mosquito and rodent control. Transport talks: Government has scheduled a Monday meeting with restive public transport operators over demands for a fare increase tied to rising fuel costs. Sports: Montego Bay United edged Cavalier 1-0 in the JPL semi-final first leg, while Jamaicans won six events at the NJCAA Junior College Champs.

LIRR Strike Stalls: New York’s Long Island Rail Road strike is set to drag into Monday as MTA and unions say talks are at a standstill, leaving about 275,000 daily riders scrambling for shuttles and alternate routes. Health Watch in Westmoreland: Westmoreland health officials are stepping up surveillance and public guidance amid regional hantavirus concerns, even as Jamaica reports no confirmed cases. Hurricane Melissa Funding: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green announced $250 million for Phase 2 of the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme, citing strong rebound in crop output. Community Pressure in Burnt Savannah: Residents protest a curfew they say is blocking work and hurting recovery, claiming police shut down a candlelight vigil. Sports & Talent: JTTA launched the 2026 Prep and Primary School League, while Tobi Amusan opened the Diamond League with a third-place finish in Shanghai. Regional Moves: Bahamas deported 107 Haitians in a fresh immigration enforcement operation. Public Safety: Three men were shot in Hague, Trelawny; one died and the matter is under investigation.

JWPL Semi-Finals: Arnett Gardens struck first in the first leg, beating Los Perfectos 3-2 at the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence, with Shikira Douglas scoring twice and Tuanashae Hamilton adding the third; Los Perfectos fought back through Venicia Reid’s brace. Diamond League (Jamaica on the board): Shericka Jackson and Nickisha Pryce opened their seasons in Shanghai with wins—Jackson clocked 22.07 in the 200m and Pryce ran 49.75 in the 400m—while other Jamaicans also posted strong NCAA/SEC results. Sports Tourism: Kingston is set to host a historic ATP Challenger, the first English-speaking Caribbean stop of its kind, running August 16–29. Health Policy: Dr Christopher Tufton says Jamaica is in the final stages of developing a dedicated menopause and andropause policy. Eurovision 2026: Bulgaria’s Dara won with “Bangaranga,” a title linked to Jamaican patois, as the contest crowned its 70th champion. Elsewhere: A major Long Island Rail Road strike in the U.S. is causing travel chaos.

Agriculture Blueprint: Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture has finished a draft 10-year National Agricultural Development Plan, with Floyd Green saying it targets resilient farming, agribusiness and value chains, trade efficiency, food security, plus cross-cutting work on research, tech, workforce, youth, gender and praedial larceny. Transport Shock: In the US, the Long Island Rail Road strike has begun after talks failed over a 2% wage gap, leaving nearly 300,000 daily commuters stranded and forcing limited shuttle-bus plans. Crime in Half-Way-Tree: Police are boosting security after the killing of 68-year-old Lawrence Kessna, a bearer shot during an attempted knapsack snatch near Scotiabank. Guns Smuggling Case: Jamaican producer Countree Hype (Taugea Ubert Dayes) pleaded guilty in the US to smuggling firearms hidden in office furniture. Sports Spotlight: Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson won the Diamond League 200m in Shanghai, while Duplantis won pole vault but missed a world-record bid.

CPL Draft Shockwaves: Trinbago Knight Riders locked in their West Indies core for CPL 2026, using right-to-match options to retain Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein, while Andre Russell and Rovman Powell switch to Jamaica Kingsmen. Local Sports Pipeline: Kingsmen also grabbed 19-year-old Vitel Lawes, fresh from Under-19 World Cup success, adding a new edge to their bowling. Crime & Safety: A 68-year-old bearer was shot dead during an attempted robbery on Half-Way Tree Road, as police vow high-visibility operations around financial centres. Road Watch: St Elizabeth police handed out 30 helmets and reported motorcyclists remain a major share of crash deaths. Economy: Jamaica’s inflation dipped in April as electricity costs eased, though food prices kept pressure on. Health & Recovery: Jamaica continues pushing climate-loss funding readiness, while Saint Lucia rolls out rapid PCR testing to speed outbreak response.

CPL Draft Shockwaves: The 2026 Republic Bank CPL season kicked off with a major roster shake-up as Barbados Tridents snapped up star spinner Gudakesh Motie from Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Sunil Narine stayed put with Trinbago Knight Riders and new faces like Justin Greaves and Dominic Drakes joined the mix. Jamaica-Period Poverty Push: Jamaica is set to launch a $50 million pilot to tackle period poverty in schools, bringing menstrual health support to eight schools and about 2,000 girls. Gun Arrest in Boston: A Jamaican man was arrested at Franklin Field on gun charges, with police saying his record dates back decades. Long Island Transit Tension: A possible LIRR strike is looming after talks with the MTA hit a wall, with commuters facing major disruption. Climate Finance Momentum: Caribbean countries moved closer to accessing a US$250M loss-and-damage climate grant, with Jamaica among the eligible states. Sports & Culture: KFC Elite Cup finals are set for Saturday in Kingston, and Jamaica’s lovers rock scene gets a spotlight with “Lovers Rock: A Night of British Reggae.”

Horse Racing Buzz: Dream Catcher crushed the Portmore Stakes by 8¼ lengths, putting her firmly in 1000 Guineas spotlight, while 13-1 shocker Stardom stunned in the Kingston Stakes for Gary Subratie and Dane Dawkins. Sport Loss: Jamaica racing mourns legendary owner and breeder Edmund “Big Ed” Thomas, 77, whose War Zone swept the 1996 Triple Crown. Football & Netball: Portmore United edged Racing United 2-0 to advance in the Wray & Nephew JPL semis, and the JWPL semi-finals kick off with Arnett Gardens double-header as Frazsiers Whip face Real Mona. Aviation & Business: NMIA’s operator PACKAL will invite bids next month for a big expansion of shops, restaurants and duty-free. Finance Watch: Sagicor Group Jamaica posted $2.01b Q1 profit; Bank of Jamaica reported an $8b net loss for Jan–Apr. Community & Safety: MOCA is investigating threats against Stella Maris Prep, with police presence increased on campus.