Commentary

Dennis Blake
January 18, 2026

Dennis Blake | Why Jamaica’s churches must move from pews to policy

For generations, the Church has been one of Jamaica’s most trusted institutions. In communities where schools struggled, families fractured, and governments changed, the Church remained – steady,…
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January 18, 2026

Garth Rattray | The Sargassum seaweed can be useful

Recently, I saw a short documentary on the Sargassum seaweed ‘invasion’ of the Caribbean Sea. Then I recalled that my wife and several of her relatives encountered mounds of the seaweed on the beach…
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January 18, 2026

Orville Taylor | Jamaica: Our bed of roses

One of the stupidest expressions used regularly is “Life is not a bed of roses” When our relatives and friends migrate north, they often say it in reference to ‘Farrin’. Now, every Jamaican knows that…
This photo shows ruins of Holy Trinity Cathedral damaged by 1907 Kingston earthquake.
January 17, 2026

Editorial | Prioritise earthquake readiness

Especially after the ruin left by Hurricane Melissa last October, it is understandable that, in the context of disaster preparedness, the attention of most Jamaicans is on hurricanes. The authorities,…
January 17, 2026

Tony Deyal and Zeno Constance | Trini back in town or what?

My son, Zubin, came for Christmas but then took us to Barbados for nine days, including the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. He and his sister were born in Barbados and so are ‘Bajans’ and very…
January 17, 2026

Ronald Sanders | Visa restrictions and cost of Caribbean disunity

When powerful states act, small states are tempted to personalise the action. When small states fragment, powerful states do not need to explain themselves. That is the lesson CARICOM should draw from…
This file photo shows the entrance to the University Hospital of the West Indies.
January 16, 2026

Editorial | Not surprised by UHWI

Sadly, this newspaper can’t claim to be surprised by the auditor general’s findings of seeming flagrant disregard for the government’s procurement rules, and possible corruption, involving hundreds of…
Gleaner editorial writes: ...the world in which, and for which, the mechanisms underlying Vision 2030 were framed no longer exist.
January 16, 2026

Peter Espeut | The myth of independence

In 1975 – more than 50 years ago – UWI political scientist Louis Lindsay published an article titled “The Myth of Independence: Middle Class Politics and Non-Mobilization in Jamaica”. It caused a…
In this file photo visa applicants are seen waiting outside the US Embassy in Kingston.
January 16, 2026

Kristen Gyles | Waking up from the American dream

How many Jamaicans still can’t wake up from the American dream they have been chasing? Despite every effort of the United States (US) government to make it clear that certain classes of immigrants are…