Jamaica peace ranking, St. Andrew water curbs and SPARK scrutiny lead national news

Jamaica has been ranked the most peaceful country in the Caribbean and the third most peaceful nation in North and Central America in the 2026 Global Peace Index, behind only Canada and Costa Rica. The ranking came less than 24 hours before National Security Minister Dr. Harris Chang told Parliament the country is on course for one of its safest years in modern history, with murders down 23 per cent from the same period last year. Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Orin Hill said the result strengthens Jamaica's international image, investor confidence and tourism prospects. He also linked improving travel advisories to falling murders and planned health upgrades, including work at Cornwall Regional Hospital, a new hospital for Spanish Town and the rebuilding of Kingston Public Hospital.

In St. Andrew, the National Water Commission imposed water regulation measures after the Hermitage Dam dropped to about 65 per cent of capacity. The utility said Jamaica's seasonal rainfall pattern and rising demand continue to put pressure on supplies in Kingston and St. Andrew, where storage stands at roughly 1.22 billion gallons. NWC spokesperson Williams said losses from leaks and theft in the corporate area have been reduced from nearly 70 per cent to just under 40 per cent through pipe replacement, pressure management and revenue enforcement, although islandwide losses remain far higher. He said higher-elevation communities including Manning Hill, Red Hills Road, Queensborough and sections of Charlton Avenue would receive water overnight, while lower areas such as Half-Way Tree, Eastwood Park Road and Cross Roads would be supplied later. Studies are also under way to examine expansion of the Hermitage and Mona storage systems.

The government has also launched phase two of the SPARK main roads programme, a J$25 billion investment covering 37 major roads across the island, including Washington Boulevard and Dunrobin Avenue in Kingston. Opposition roads spokesman Dwayne Vaz said the roadworks are needed but argued phase one has already been weakened by shifting timelines, incomplete designs and reliance on a single main contractor. He said more capable local contractors should be involved. Asked about timing, minister Robert Morgan said some phase two roads are still being designed, but many should begin this year and all are intended to be completed next year.

Meanwhile, opposition spokesman on youth and human rights Isaac Buchanan faced backlash over comments on the podcast "The Perspective with Perry Cummings Jr." that some interpreted as suggesting women were not ready for Parliament. In a later interview, Buchanan said the clip circulating online removed the wider context and insisted his point was about disrespect and disorder in the House of Representatives. Political analyst Dr. Spence said the remarks still relied on patriarchal and misogynistic language. Buchanan said he would not withdraw his comments.