Met Office warns of strong weekend winds as Sangster Airport earns regional carbon first

Jamaicans are being urged to prepare for a windy, wet weekend after the Meteorological Service warned that strong to very strong winds will continue across the island and surrounding waters, with the worst conditions expected on Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters say a low-level jet stream over the Caribbean is driving the conditions, with near-gale gusts possible in southern parishes, hilly areas, and along the south coast. Fishers and other marine operators have been told to exercise extreme caution as rough seas are expected, particularly near the Pedro and Morant banks. Two tropical waves are also forecast to cross Jamaica, bringing isolated showers and thunderstorms mainly to eastern and western sections. The Met Service said it will keep monitoring the systems, with windy weather likely to persist through Sunday. Rain has already started in parts of the island, including St. Ann, Kingston, and St. Mary.

In Montego Bay, Sangster International Airport has become the first airport in the English-speaking Caribbean to achieve Level 3 certification under the Airports Council International carbon accreditation programme. MBJ Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer Shane Monroe said the milestone reflects a wider push to cut emissions and operate more sustainably. Unlike earlier accreditation stages, Level 3 requires joint action with airlines and other airport partners to reduce emissions together.

The Jamaica Public Service Company has moved to reassure customers that electricity rates have not gone up, saying higher monthly bills are mainly the result of increased power use as households try to stay cool in the summer heat.

Meanwhile, at least two members of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee are calling for changes in how the commission investigates parliamentarians and other public officials. They raised concerns about what they described as overly intrusive probes, including questions about properties acquired decades ago, and the reputational impact investigations can have. The issue featured prominently at Thursday's committee sitting.

In global sport, World Athletics has launched the Childbirth and Return in Elite Sports initiative to better support pregnant elite athletes and mothers returning to competition. President Sebastian Coe said the project is part of efforts to make athletics more equitable so athletes do not have to choose between motherhood and elite success.

On the football front, France continued their strong World Cup run with a 2-0 win over Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé again central to the performance. England face Norway on Saturday, Argentina meet Switzerland, and Belgium play Spain on Friday. England midfielder Jude Bellingham is one yellow card away from missing a semi-final if England advance.

Locally, organisers of the Extraordinary Me event say they are creating a sensory-friendly space for neurodivergent children at Hope Zoo on 15 August. Coordinator Alexandra Gregory and behavioural therapy specialist Roma Robinson said tickets are presold through Kidsville_JA, with morning and afternoon sessions priced at $5,000 for one child and one caretaker.

Canadian comedian and recording artist Nicole Arbour also outlined plans to launch Pop Shop, a shopping experience for women, at Tac Bar at Devon House on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., tied to the Love Island finale.