Femicide registry push, Portmore ATM probe lead Jamaica news bulletin

On July 2, Opposition spokesperson Joyce Denise Daley used the sectoral debate in Parliament to push for tougher action on gender-based violence, including a national femicide registry. She said killings of women and girls often follow reported domestic abuse and argued that tracking prior complaints, restraining orders and police interventions would help authorities identify escalating risk earlier. Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Delroy Chuck also opened debate on the proposed Mediation Act to widen access to mediation in Jamaica.

Police are investigating the theft of cash from four automated teller machine safes at Scotiabank's Portmore branch in St. Catherine. Beryllium Limited said it is assisting investigators after the break-in, which police said happened between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Surveillance reportedly showed people dressed in black arriving in a Nissan Latio, entering the area used by security staff, using access codes and leaving with a substantial sum. Security personnel discovered the breach during routine checks.

At the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, seven overseas Jamaicans received the 2026 Governor-General's Achievement Award: Lisa Rutty, Christina McPherson, Carl Samuels, Asha Richards, Dr. Richard White, Dr. Sandra Collidurant and Dr. Nickoline Johnson. Their citations covered humanitarian work, immigrant mentorship, heritage preservation, migration advocacy, education, youth development, and trade and cultural ties with China. Samuels was also recognised for a Wolverhampton Hurricane Melissa relief appeal that assisted more than 800 Jamaican families.

In business, CariCRIS reaffirmed the Development Bank of Jamaica's ratings with a stable outlook. The Jamaica Stock Exchange suspended trading in King's Tire Holdings and Atlantic Hardware and Plumbing Company after both missed the March 31 deadline to file audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. For July 1, Wigton Energy, Omni Industries and TransJamaican Highway were the most active stocks, while Bank of Jamaica data showed the US dollar selling at J$158.79.

Regionally, Professor Hamid Ghany of Trinidad and Tobago called for more transparent CARICOM governance after Dr. Carla Barnett's February reappointment to a second five-year term as secretary-general, citing a legal opinion by UWI law professor Rajendra Ramlogan; Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Barnett after August 2026. PAHO said Venezuela's earthquakes damaged three health facilities, that all eight assessed sites need urgent outside support, and that nearly six metric tons of supplies have been mobilised, while a US$23.9 million emergency appeal has been launched. In sport, Jamaica's Under-20 men's team continues CONCACAF preparations under Rudolph Austin despite JFF funding limits, having beaten Haiti 1-0 in Miami in its only practice match before the July 25-August 9 tournament. Cricket West Indies also held talks in Antigua on its 2024-2027 plan, while England, Belgium and the United States advanced in the FIFA World Cup round of 32.