Jamaica quake, fuel hike and ticket rush lead Thursday morning headlines

Jamaica recorded a 3.4-magnitude earthquake at about 6:20 p.m. Wednesday, with the epicentre roughly 11 kilometres south of Hope Bay, Portland. Hosts on CVM’s Sunrise programme said some residents felt the tremor while others did not, noting recent quakes have become more frequent in public conversation.

Motorists also face another fuel increase this week. Presenters said 90-octane petrol is now $25.70 a litre and automotive diesel $26.50 a litre, with ultra-low sulphur diesel listed at about $22.28 a litre.

In Kingston and St. Andrew, drivers crowded the National Arena to settle unpaid traffic tickets after Transport Minister Daryl Vaz’s June 25 announcement on a demerit-point system. On the first day of the ticket public day, one businessman reportedly paid more than $400,000 in fines. Another motorist had 12 of 92 tickets dismissed and still owed $439,800 on the remaining 80. The exercise continues from 9:00 a.m., with organisers advising motorists to bring identification and pay by card or cash, entering via the E4 gate.

While Jamaica’s tremor was mild, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said the government will send pharmaceuticals and food to Venezuela after twin quakes of magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 struck on June 24, 39 seconds apart. Officials cited at least 3,535 deaths, thousands injured, nearly 59,000 buildings destroyed and more than 17,000 people left homeless.

Separately, CCTV footage circulated of an apparent armed robbery and shooting about 1:36 p.m. Wednesday at a service station on Duhaney Road in Kingston. A grey Toyota Probox pulled up; three men left the vehicle with what looked like firearms, appeared to shoot a pump attendant, then fled. The Jamaica Constabulary Force posted images of the suspects and urged them to surrender at Hunts Bay Police Station.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams hailed plans for a micro stock exchange, saying about 25 firms — many from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation accelerator — are lined up to raise $50 million to $100 million, supported by a regulatory “sandbox.” The opposition backed wider capital access for micro and small firms but said more is needed.

On the arts front, Akif Newent Productions and president Fantasia Walker promote Stolen Innocence, a youth-led stage work with music, set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Excelsior Community College. The cast of 12 includes performers from age 15; advance tickets were reported sold out. Organisers pointed audiences to the child-abuse helpline 1-888-639-5433 or 211.

In sport, analysts previewed World Cup quarter-finals, including France versus Morocco — a rematch of the last tournament’s semi-final — and Spain against Belgium. Presenters also noted reports that the Argentine Football Association is under FBI and U.S. federal scrutiny over alleged bank fraud and money laundering tied to more than US$300 million in sponsorship flows, including dealings involving Florida-based Tour Proenter LLC.