Health minister slaps PNP’s ‘sad’ criticisms of health sector Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton on Tuesday described as inaccurate and unfortunate the Opposition’s allegations of corruption in the procurement of medical equipment, saying that the claims are a desperate attempt to gain political advantage. He also lampooned Opposition spokesman on health Dr Alfred Dawes’ charge that overpriced machinery were being bought from China in what amounts to a rapacious form of capitalism, describing the accusation as “rather sad”. Tufton in a statement to Parliament said while his presentation was an update on developments in the health sector, he had to address Dr Dawes’ accusations made at a news conference on Monday. Dawes, a medical doctor, had delivered a broadside against the Government for its handling of the health sector, saying that there is high-level corruption in the procurement process that is “leading to the collapse of the health sector”. According to Dr Dawes, there is “significant conflict of interest” in the procurement process, “resulting in companies that are connected to the stakeholders and decision-makers in the procuring entities being awarded contracts”. “It is a broken procurement process why an electronic health records system could go to tender for $370 million… and when concluded the contract is $800 million and we are told that it is above board. “It is why a $1.5-million operating bed lasts only three months when that same operating bed, if you were to buy it in China, the cost in Jamaican dollars would be $150,000. We are seeing this rapacious form of capitalism sucking out $140 million out of the Ministry of Health and there is no value for the taxpayers’ dollars,” Dr Dawes charged. However, on Tuesday Tufton defended the procurement process, outlining the steps taken from start to finish and said the ministry does not vary from the required procedures. “So it’s advertised, people bid based on what is required, and when that takes place it goes to a committee that is independent of the ministry ultimately, and a decision is made, and in so doing the equipment is secured,” he said. “I’m not sure how one could leap from there to suggest that somehow substandard equipment have been [bought], and in that same breath the giant leap from a public procurement process involving equipment to a term ‘rapacious capitalism’ is rather sad,” Tufton said. He said that, while it was not his job to be critical of individuals and their ambitions, what was interesting about the “rapacious capitalism” allegation was that it came from the “very same person who… left the public health system as an SMO (senior medical officer) to establish his own hospital in order to pursue the market forces… for his own livelihood”. He said he had no problem with individuals pursuing private business because, unlike the Opposition, “who seem to have a problem with it, we over here believe in the market as an efficient determination of how resources are allocated”. In an obvious reference to the Opposition People’s National Party’s declared ideology of socialism, Tufton said, the Jamaican people “should be aware [that] as much as the private sector and capitalism… have faults, socialism and [a] planned economy [are] far more imperfect and create far more challenges, and we’re not going back there; I don’t think the people of Jamaica want that.” He said he didn’t know if the suggestion coming from the Opposition was for the Government to hand-pick and select who provides services, but, “That is not going to happen, and indeed it’s against the rules, unless in emergency cases.” Tufton also said that “some of the charges and counter-charges that were made against public health and the servants of public health and the Cabinet and Government of Jamaica are quite unfortunate, not to mention the fact that they are inaccurate”. “The reality is that our health-care system has not been given the level of resources and attention over many, many decades. And, in fact, the very member who leads in these conversations on that side, himself in 2015 when he was president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, stated, and it was carried extensively in the media, that he, as a surgeon, had to wear garbage bags as personal protective gear in order to conduct surgery within the health system,” the health and wellness minister said. “I can say that no surgeon today needs to wear a garbage bag in order to get personal protective equipment to conduct a surgery in the public health system, and even if there is a periodic shortage, it’s probably around logistics, not because it is not available,” he argued. “We have inherited a lot of the issues, but we are making progress. In fact, the largest investment in health care since 1962 has taken place over the last eight years under this Andrew Holness Administration. $35 billion in active projects being implemented, that’s not a crisis, that is looking forward and not looking backward; that is making progress, and I’d be happy to share some of the specifics around that in the context of what has transpired over the last number of months,” he said then gave updates on a number of projects in the public health sector including Cornwall Regional Hospital. “In Phase 1, the water infiltration that affected the building and caused the growth of mould, based on lack of maintenance for probably two decades before that, this Government decided to address in no uncertain terms. “In Phase 2, we had to address the structural integrity of the building, removing components of the building and repairing the supporting structure that has been compromised by water. “In 2024, we launched the final phase, Phase 3 of the project, that is to realise the full rehabilitation of the building. This is being done in sections. The first section of the building to be rehabilitated is the administrative block, with staff being able to be accommodated by this Christmas. In other words, we will begin to move back

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has named Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural, Fayval Williams to replace Dr Nigel Clarke as Jamaica’s minister of finance. Williams will be replaced as the minister of education by Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Skills and Digital Transformation. In the meantime, recently elected Member of Parliament for St Ann North Eastern Matthew Samuda returns to the Cabinet as Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. Williams comes highly qualified for the position. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) by profession, has an MBA with concentration in finance from Wharton Business School at University of Pennsylvania, and a BA (cum laude) in Economics from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On the sun-drenched stretch of highway connecting Falmouth and Montego Bay, nestled among swaying trees is a charming restaurant called Muk Bang, the brainchild of Javoi and Kim McCook, a husband-and-wife team whose culinary talents blend the vibrant flavours of Jamaican and Chinese cuisine. McCook explained the motivation behind the restaurant and how they decided on a name for the eatery. “During the COVID-19 pandemic we had moved on from Sandals and decided to venture out on our own. We were looking for a name that was catchy and would represent what we had planned, which was to provide customers with varied food options. Especially since I’m a vegetarian and it is always difficult, on this side, to find those options, and my wife is Chinese so the fusion was a mix of Jamaican, Chinese and vegetarian. The name just came to us as we watched Wayne Marshall and Tami Chin, where Tami would ask Wayne to let’s get a Muk Bang.” “We opened up in 2021 and we just have to give God thanks! Of course, top-selling Jamaican dishes are curry goat and oxtail, Chinese favourites are chow mein, mala chicken, sweet and sour chicken, while vegetarian options are chick peas and chop suey. Food has always been a part of me; I like to joke that the ‘cook’ in my last name is no coincidence,” McCook added. Both partners share a background in food, as McCook was chief of steward and worked extensively with the chefs while Kim pursued a degree in hospitality and tourism and worked in a few restaurants which led to being a chef’s admin at Sandals Resorts International. “I grew up in Jamaica and then went to Canada for high school, there my older brother had a restaurant called Jerk King and I was always helping in there. I came back to Jamaica, started working in a restaurant and eventually opened my own, then went to Sandals. We met at Sandals in the kitchen and we had a shared love of food and wanting to open a restaurant and here we are,” Kim explained. “Once people enter, they’re surprised that this space is actually here and we back that up, with excellent service and great food. We push the hospitality aspect of our business and maintain consistency and we believe that’s what keeps our customers coming back. We create a warm atmosphere and treat our customers like family,” Kim added. The husband-and-wife duo are looking forward to adding dining and more meal options to the menu. Currently, they have an entertainment package on Fridays to include live and retro music, and sing-a-longs. “We’re looking to have Muk Bang in other parishes to bring that great experience and family friendly vibe,” McCook stated. Text & photos: Aceion Cunningham   Address: Rock, Falmouth Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM Telephone #: 876-4428983 / 876-379-7115

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Billionaire Elon Musk was expected in court in Philadelphia on Thursday, after a judge ordered him to attend a hearing in a lawsuit seeking to halt his $1 million giveaways to registered US voters in swing states. Philadelphia’s chief prosecutor Larry Krasner lodged the suit on Monday, calling Musk’s project “an illegal lottery scheme”, with the judge in the case ruling Wednesday that the billionaire is required to appear in court. “It is further ordered that all parties must be present at the time of the hearing,” judge Anne Marie Coyle said. Musk stirred controversy after he announced the daily contest this month, prompting the Justice Department to warn that it may violate federal law which prohibits paying people to register to vote. Musk, 53, who owns SpaceX and X, formerly Twitter, has thrown his millions, time and considerable influence into backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since endorsing him in July. Musk, the world’s richest man, has reportedly donated $118 million to his personal pro-Trump political action committee, an organization which collects funds for elections. He has also appeared on stage with Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and hosted a series of town halls on his own in the battleground state, seen as critical in the November election. Musk, who previously supported Barack Obama but has become increasingly conservative in recent years, peppers his 202 million followers on X daily with messages championing Trump and denigrating his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Sunshine Girls coach optimistic ahead of world series-opener vs New Zealand As Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls prepare to depart the island tomorrow for the Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, Head Coach Nardia Hanson radiates optimism as the team is set to take on the world’s best at the tournament. The Fast5 Netball World Series is to take place from November 9-10 at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena. The top six teams in the world will compete in the tournament — New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda. As Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls prepare to depart the island tomorrow for the Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, Head Coach Nardia Hanson radiates optimism as the team is set to take on the world’s best at the tournament. The Fast5 Netball World Series is to take place from November 9-10 at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena. The top six teams in the world will compete in the tournament — New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda. Each team plays each other once during the first two days in a round-robin format. The four highest-scoring teams from this stage progress to the finals, played on the final day of competition, in which the first-ranked team plays the fourth-ranked team, while second plays third. The winners of these two matches contest the grand final and the remaining teams compete in the third- and fifth-place play-offs. “Training has been going well,” Hanson told the Jamaica Observer. “I mean, the girls are showing progress, and so we are taking it day by day, learning the new rules, making sure the girls are being consistent in their shots. Training has been going pretty well.” With a mix of seasoned players and debutantes, Hanson emphasised the positivity within the squad. “The mindset in the camp at the moment is good. The fact that they want to do well, they are excited about the competition, and so I think the mindset is at the right place where the girls just want to grow,” Hanson said. Seven players will make their Fast5 debut, but Hanson believes the experienced trio will provide valuable guidance. “They’re not just going down there as first-timers, we have just like seven players who this will be their first time, but the three experienced players are helping them with the process,” she said. Hanson cautions the newcomers about the tournament’s intensity. “The senior players are reminding them that the Fast5 tournament is really hard. I mean, they are only playing six minutes per quarter, but it is like playing for two hours. It is very competitive, they want to do well and they have the interest and so they are going to do fine,” Hanson noted. To calm nerves, Hanson reminds the team that netball remains the same. “Just keep reminding the inexperienced players that it is netball. It is nothing new; it’s not a new sport they’re learning. It’s just that you’re going to play without a wing, so you’re going to be running more, be able to make long passes, be confident in your decision-making,” she said. Hanson said that the Netball Jamaica Elite League experience has prepared the team for Fast5’s unique aspects. “The good thing about it is when we played our Elite League, for the shooters, we do have the two-point shot, and so that part is good for them because they have been practising that. For the defenders, it is always one-on-one. So it’s nothing hard to transition or translate it into Fast5,” she explained. The Sunshine Girls face a daunting task. Their first game of the tournament is against hosts New Zealand, but Hanson remains optimistic. “We will be playing New Zealand first. We know Maya Wilson is in that squad, and she is a seasoned shooter; she is very aggressive. They have their centre; I don’t remember her name, she is very quick. I watched their league, the ANZ and they have quick players and their shooters are really shooting well,” Hanson said. To counter New Zealand’s strengths, Hanson focuses on building confidence. “It’s just to build our girls’ confidence. I know it’s going to be New Zealand, the name alone itself. They may have some little butterflies, but I just let them know that they are humans as well, just like us.” Hanson concludes with a rallying cry. “Just like how they have the ability, we have it too. They are the home side, and the home crowd is going to be behind them, and so I just want to keep our girls composed, let them know that we are here; it is netball; the rotation can be done; you know, just to be confident,” she ended.   Squad: Shadine Bartley, Paula-Ann Burton, Zaudi Green, Roxanna McLean, Amanda Pinkney, Kimone Shaw, Kestina Sturridge, Cornilia Walters, Simone Gordon, Tiffany Langley, and reserve Latian Stewart. Staff: Maureen Brown, Nardia Hanson, Dalton Hinds, Offniel Lamont, and Karlene Waugh.  

MP Matthew Samuda assigned to former ministry PRIME Minister Dr Andrew Holness has charged recently sworn-in minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Matthew Samuda to further efforts to protect the environment and ensure that every Jamaican has access to potable water in their homes. Holness noted that water is a critical pain point in today’s society, and the standard to meet is to ensure that every Jamaican has access to potable water inside their homes. “It is not sufficient to measure the access of water by being within one mile or 100m of a water main. It’s not sufficient to say that there is a standpipe near you. It’s not sufficient to say that a water main passes your home. Everybody wants potable water in their home…and that is indeed the standard of expectation,” said the prime minister. “Minister Samuda, that is what we have to meet for the people of Jamaica. How do we get potable water in their homes? It is a big task, because the expectations don’t always match the level of resources that are available. So the challenge is multi-dimensional, and one of the first dimensions of the problem that we have to conquer is to increase the size of the economy and the pace of growth of the economy so that we can get more revenue so that we can invest in the infrastructure,” he said. Holness was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for Samuda as a Cabinet minister at King’s House Wednesday morning. The ceremony was conducted by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who said that Samuda’s appointment underscores the importance of skilled collaborative leadership within the Cabinet. He further noted that the minister will bring youth, respect, and dynamism to the position. The prime minister, expressing his confidence in Samuda, further tasked him with the responsibility of being efficient with the management of the resources dedicated to improving access to water and environmental protection. “The environment portfolio will come into play in a critical way in ensuring that we do have water for our population because, believe it or not, the land of wood of water – that the water part of it might very well become scarce. We are seeing longer and more intensive periods of drought and more unpredictable rainfall, which makes it very difficult to plan for the delivery of water, so the management of the water resource is going to be a critical element,” said Holness. The challenge was accepted by Samuda, who expressed thanks to the prime minister for his vote of confidence. “I am very grateful for the third time to be sworn into the Cabinet. It is not lost on me, prime minister, that you have expressed your trust and faith in me and my work three times,” said the minister. He stated that he is committed to ensuring that Jamaica reaches its target of 30 per cent land mass protection by 2025 and that citizens islandwide have access to potable water inside their homes as quickly as possible. Samuda also committed to ensuring that work to protect 30 per cent of the country’s marine space is completed by 2030. “You cannot have economic development against the backdrop of environmental degradation, and you cannot have prosperity steeped in pollution,” he said. “As a small island developing State, our aspirations, our ambitions, our development agenda is always at threat, is always at risk for factors sometimes that are outside our control. It is why — within the micro climate, within the management of our environment, within this small Jamaica, land we love — we have to be particularly careful with our development agenda, and that is what we have sought to do. I commit today to redouble our efforts to ensure that all of Jamaica is very clear that this Government holds the environment, holds the micro climate, holds your sustainable development dear to its heart,” said Samuda. The minister further noted that while the country is happy for macroeconomic stability, they are looking for dividends in terms of service delivery, and one of those areas is access to water. “I commit to use every waking moment to ensure that we move along the mission to peace, productivity, and prosperity,” said Samuda.

Call for new energy into education transformation programme EDUCATION sector leaders on Wednesday endorsed the appointment of Information Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon as education minister while expressing hope that she will infuse new energy into the education transformation programme now in train, along with the other demands of the super ministry. Morris Dixon, whose appointment was announced by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Wednesday morning during the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston, was catapulted into the post following the appointment of former Education Minister Fayval Williams as finance minister. Williams replaced Dr Nigel Clarke who demitted office on Wednesday to take up a deputy managing director post at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Wednesday, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Dr Mark Smith, in congratulating both women, said the JTA “looked forward to working with Morris Dixon to ensure that we can move the system forward”. “We are, as an association, eager to work with anyone that understands the significance of education transforming the collective fortunes of Jamaicans, and so she comes to the office at a critical time. We have several of the Patterson Report objectives yet to be achieved and we look forward to her role in injecting continued adrenaline into the process in moving it forward,” Smith told the Jamaica Observer. “I do believe she will be able to work on the successes achieved by her predecessor but, of course, to put more emphasis on ensuring that we are able to improve spending to schools and have an impact on transforming the reality of the present classroom,” he added. The Education Transformation programme is expected to improve the system in line with the 365 recommendations of the 2021 Professor Orlando Patterson Jamaica Education Transformation Commission Report. The Patterson report recognised seven pillars of transformation within the education sector — namely governance, legislation, leadership and administration; early childhood education; curriculum teaching and teacher training; the tertiary sector, technical and vocational education and training; infrastructure and technology; and financing. The transformation of the country’s education system will cost $280 billion over 20 years and $166 billion in the first seven years of the programme. The recommendations are being implemented over an eight-year period spanning 2023-2031, with the Education Transformation and Oversight Committee (ETOC), monitoring the process. In the meantime, the JTA president, in commenting on the elevation of the former minister of education said, “She takes up a post that has never been held before by a woman, so we congratulate her on breaking that glass ceiling, giving a lot of hope to young ladies across this island that they can hold any office in the country. “We have already had a female prime minister, now we have a finance minister that is a lady, and so I think we have a positive takeaway in that regard and a wonderful opportunity for motivation for young ladies,” said Smith. Wednesday, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) Linvern Wright, while noting that he was unfamiliar with Morris Dixon’s involvement in the education sector, said: “I trust that the Government has been deliberate in how they have made the appointment.” “We are concerned about some things, like the way transformation is going; we don’t think it is on the right path, and we hope one of the things she is going to take on first is to just ensure that there are very clear targets, that the transformation is properly funded, and that we look at those things we can afford to do and not try to do every single thing,” he told the Observer. Elaborating, he said the JAPSS “is concerned that it seems that the narrative of transformation is being taken over by the ministry itself”. “I think ETOC needs to stand firm on ensuring that they respond to us in a meaningful way and that there is greater levels of consultation about the objectives that we have for education and that we are realistic about the goals we have and focusing on those things that are possible in the short term,” Wright explained. “I really do wish her all the best and I really hope that in the interest of education and the children we have the kind of leadership that we need to take education where it ought to go,” he said. Added Wright: “My essential point is that I want a minister of education where the ministry is not about talk but it is about results, it is about collaboration and about ensuring that the stakeholders have a say and also ensure that we are doing those things that are necessary for education to work. We need a firm hand and a clear direction about where education ought to go, just to ensure that we make the kind of moves that won’t leave education behind even after talk of transformation.” Meanwhile, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) Stewart Jacobs, in congratulating both ministers, said, “The NPTAJ, will miss Minister Williams because of the relationship she has built with us over the last couple years in attending our functions, endorsing our efforts, and supporting us in a lot of ways.” “She was a minister we could call on almost any time for advice and she would seek advice from us from time to time for matters relating to the school system and parents,” he told the Observer. In noting that Morris Dixon’s appointment comes at a critical juncture in the school year, with external exams looming, he said, “What is very important is that the transition of the minister does not affect the daily operations of the ministry that will filter down to affect our students as we go along”. Morris Dixon, who was minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for information, skills, and digital transformation, is a 2004 Fulbright scholar and an alum of The University of the West Indies (UWI) where she completed a Bachelor of

Sector leaders hail appointment of Fayval Williams as minister of finance ON Wednesday, newly appointed Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams — the first female to ever serve in that role — had the overwhelming support of industry stakeholders as the right fit for the job, with her Opposition counterpart Julian Robinson deeming her the only logical choice. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the much-anticipated announcement at Wednesday morning’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House after months of speculation. He had disclosed on August 26, that Dr Nigel Clarke would be leaving his finance minister post to take up the position as deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday, November 1. During the press briefing, Holness told reporters that Williams, the former education and youth minister, would assume her new duties with the assistance of his senior advisor, Alok Jain, whom he said is highly regarded for his financial expertise. Holness said Jain would work closely with Williams as well as with other private sector stakeholders. Jain, who is chairman of the Port Authority of Jamaica, has been a consultant to the prime minister since January 2020, advising on various matters of national policy as well as conceptualising and driving implementation of certain priority projects. Reacting to the news, Robinson did not appear surprised. He told the Jamaica Observer that having previously worked in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service as a state minister and minister without portfolio, Williams is already apprised of what the role entails, but stressed that she has work to do. “Based on the available pool of Members of Parliament on the Government’s side she is the only logical choice; she had previous experience at the Ministry of Finance and would have an understanding of the portfolio. She will have a full in tray of issues to deal with. On the public service side there are still groups of workers who are very restive and dissatisfied with how the public sector compensation review has been handled, notably the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) staff and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association,” he said. He stressed that the new minister needs to ensure that the wage agreement signed between the Government and the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) is implemented, noting that members of the JCSA are restive and that notwithstanding the signing of the agreement, nothing official has been put in place to facilitate the payments of outstanding sums. Robinson also contended that while the Government has managed well to bring down the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio, “growth has remained elusive” and it is therefore critical that the new finance minister also places focus on that. Also appearing comfortable with the appointment was president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Metry Seaga, who told the Observer that his organisation feels that Minister Williams “is a good candidate”. “We know that she is more than capable; she is trained for the job. She has some big shoes to fill and we are hopeful that she will be up to the task. She has a good set of staff at the ministry and we are hopeful that the same fiscal responsibility that our previous minister was able to put in place will be maintained,” he said. President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) Garnet Reid, too, expressed confidence that Williams will do well in the post, given her financial sector expertise. “She brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience to the business sector, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and also to big businesses in Jamaica and the economy overall. I think with the [input of the] technocrat (Jain), I think she’ll do a good job as she will be leading the team and we look forward to work with her to ensure that she succeeds in helping the Jamaican economy where possible,” he said. He noted, however, that there is some “unfinished business” that Dr Clarke left behind that needs to be addressed. He lamented that the United States intermediary bank isn’t taking Jamaican deposits and this needs to be tidied up. He also noted that the Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) saga is not complete, and also ought to be wrapped up. The investment company has been embroiled in a $4.7-billion fraud scandal since January 2023 which has impacted more than 200 accounts. “We are calling upon her as well, through the Government of Jamaica, to set up a victim fund for the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (Finsac) meltdown that affected some 30,000 small business operators, as well as medium-sized businesses. We need a victim fund to help those people who have suffered,” he added. Sharing the sentiments of his counterparts, immediate past president of the Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Alliance Donovan Wignal said Williams’ selection is without question as the prime minister would have had ample time to check within his Cabinet to choose the “most suited” person for the position. “The work in progress continues, and there is no doubt that the newly minted Minister Fayval Williams will bring her own flavour to the table. While I am sure the prime minister and his Cabinet, and by extension the country at large, will miss Nigel Clarke and do wish him bon voyage, I think there is plenty of talent to continue the great work he started,” he said. He added that Williams will inherit an experienced and qualified team of individuals at the Ministry of Finance, who would have worked closely with Minister Clarke in the execution of Jamaica’s fiscal programme to date. In the meantime, highlighting why Minister Williams was the best choice, Prime Minister Holness said that she had served with distinction in her previous roles in the finance ministry, and that her resume recommends her to the position. “The stakeholder community that she will serve specifically would want to know that someone who is going to be in that area has some technical competence, and so I

ST JAMES, Jamaica – Despite being held to a second straight goal-less draw, Montego Bay United (MBU) held on to their lead in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after their stalemate against Portmore United at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Sunday. MBU, who are unbeaten over their last five games, all without conceding a goal, are on 14 points, one more than Portmore who are tied with Waterhouse FC who have played a game less and will play on Monday night. Mt Pleasant FA snapped a string of three straight draws with a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in the second game of a double header at Drax Hall, thanks to a 70th minute goal from Kimonie Bailey. The win saw Mt Pleasant move to 12 points from their six games played. Humble Lion and Dunbeholden both scored their first wins of the season, beating Molynes United and Harbour View respectively, by 1-0 margins. Andre Clennon scored a goal in time added for Humble Lion who move to seventh place on eight points. Leo Campbell’s 15th minute goal was good for Dunbeholden as Harbour View lost their third straight. Despite the win, Dunbeholden are still at the foot of the table on three points. Paul A Reid

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his government will not be distracted from its mission of building a caring economy and passing on more benefits to the people of Jamaica. The prime minister made the commitment at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Clarendon Northern constituency conference on Sunday. While addressing the conference which took place in the Aenon Town Division of the constituency, Holness also impressed upon representatives from the governing party to seek out their constituents, identify their needs and ensure they are fulfilled. Holness says the JLP is focused on caring representation centred on the people and the administration he leads is particular about building a caring economy. “We have put in place excellent economic policies, and we are now taking those economic policies and using the dividends from those policies to care. So we’re building not just caring representation, but we are also building a caring economy. A caring economy. That is what we are doing. We have to change our politics to a politics of upliftment, a politics that truly shows that the Jamaica Labour Party believes in caring for the people it represents,” Holness told labourites. The prime minister said his administration intends to do more for various demographics in Jamaican society, including senior citizens. “The people who sometimes don’t get to come to these meetings, so their views are never heard, but somebody must care for them. That care has to start from the councillor and the MP looking out for them. It also has to start from the government doing what it can to ensure that the pensioners get a little more. That is why we increased the income tax threshold as it relates to pension benefits. That’s why we bring in a thing now called the social pension that gives allocations to our pensioners during the month. That’s part of our mission of care for our people,” the prime minister said.

Astellar line-up of local and international experts in nuclear applications will make presentations at the Scientific Research Council’s 31st National Science and Technology Conference this week at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston. The conference, which is being held under the theme “Harmony in Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Nuclear Applications for Sustainable Development”, will over four days beginning Tuesday, October 29, provide a platform for discussions exploring how Jamaica is positioned to benefit from scientific advancements in nuclear technology. Science and Technology Minister Daryl Vaz will deliver the keynote address in which he will speak about Jamaica’s intentions around nuclear applications and nuclear energy. Among the international speakers are Dr Taj S Mattu, Technical and Commercial Director of UK-based Thermachange, and Saied Dardour, Energy Specialist and Learning Experience Designer at Greoux Research in Austria, who will address nuclear energy for small island development states; Jason Harris, Chairman and CEO of TREDIC Corporation in the UK, who will present on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the private sector’s role in the nuclear energy shift; Dr Justin Spencer, Research Scientist at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, who will share a Canadian perspective on future microreactors; US-based radiation oncologist Dr Kadir Mullings, of Prime Medical, who will speak on nuclear medicine in cancer treatment; and academic technology transfer expert Arundeep Pradhan, Deputy Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Wyoming, who will engage the audience on accelerating innovation ecosystem development. Presenters from Jamaica include Professor Charles Grant, Director General of International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), who will speak on Jamaica’s nuclear infrastructure; Dr Cliff Riley, Director General of the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA), who will discuss the role of HRSA in ensuring safe nuclear technology deployment; Haile Dennis, Reactor Manager at ICENS, who will address Jamaica’s readiness for nuclear energy, as well as the challenges and opportunities; Dr Kern Pemberton, Radiologist at the Kingston Public Hospital, who will speak on harnessing the power of nuclear technology for cancer treatment in Jamaica’s public health sector; and Farrah Hansel Murray, Science and Technology Development Planner, Planning Institute of Jamaica, who will talk about integrating nuclear innovation into Jamaica’s development goals. Over the course of four days, participants will engage in insightful discussions, explore groundbreaking advancements, and collaborate on practical solutions that harness nuclear technology’s power for sustainable progress, the SRC said, adding that the conference will also provide a platform for youth engagement and creativity through special sessions, including the Innovation Summit and the STEM Olympiad Debate competition, further nurturing Jamaica’s culture of innovation and scientific excellence. Additionally, there are eight hours (including one hour ethics and 1.5 hour mental health) of Continuing Medical Education credits available for doctors in attendance at the event. Conference Highlights: • Day 1, October 29: Nuclear Energy – Governance, Safety, and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) • Day 2, October 30: Nuclear Applications in the Medical Field • Day 3, October 31: Nuclear Applications in Agriculture, Mutation Breeding, and SIT for Vector Control • Day 4, November 1: Non-Destructive Testing and Expanding Nuclear Applications in Health and Industry Registration is US$50 per day for Jamaican nationals, who are also eligible to apply for a waiver via conference@src-jamaica.org; US$50 for international students; US$120 for Caricom nationals; US$150 for residents of Canada and the USA; and US$150 for other foreign nationals.

Although frustrated with his team’s performance on Sunday, Harbour View FC’s Jason Henry believes he’s earning the trust of the players in his first year as a head coach. The Stars of the East suffered their fourth defeat in seven games of the 2024/25 Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League season after a 1-0 loss to bottom-placed Dunbeholden, who picked up their first win of the season, thanks to a Leo Campbell strike, early in the first half. Henry was promoted from the club’s physical trainer position to head coach this summer, taking over from title-winning Coach Ludlow Bernard. Despite sitting in the bottom half of the table on 7 points, it’s an improved start to the season for Harbour View, who at this stage last season were winless after six games and went on to finish 12th, just outside the relegation zone. Henry has credited his players for their improved attitude but is demanding more. “I’ve been at Harbour View since 2016, so I understand the club. I know most of these players so it’s just putting my football experience to it,” he said. “They are responding to be honest, we’ve had a better start to the season but they owe the club something, last year was a disaster so they owe the club a season of top football. We have to just continue working and we’ll get better.” Henry says they will have to improve their efficiency in attack after missing key chances over the last few games, including a penalty on Sunday. “Football is based on the chances you create and the chance you take. If you look at those clear chances we created, the game would have never reached this,” he said. “We’re still missing some attacking players because of different reasons but we just have to grind and pick up points until they come in. We’re not far off because one or two more wins and we’re back in the top six, but games like these, when we get chances, we have to bury them because when a team is down, we have to keep them down.” Dunbeholden Head Coach Byjeon Thomas was elated to see his team get off the mark after suffering four-straight losses. “I think it’s just belief. They believed they could do it and they did it today,” he said. “I’m just happy for the boys. The talent in this group doesn’t deserve to be where they are in the table, so I’m happy they got the first three points of the season.” Thomas, who replaced Philip Williams after just two games, says the team will improve in time. “It’s not going to be straightforward when a new coach comes in. A different coach started the season, carried them through preseason and he left, so we’re just building back the belief and we’ll see how far we can finish.” Sunday’s Results Dunbeholden 1, Harbour View 0 Molynes United, 0 Humble Lion 1 Mount Pleasant 1 Tivoli 0 Montego Bay 0 Portmore 0   Monday’s Games Chapelton Maroons vs Waterhouse @ 5 pm Racing United vs Vere Phoenix United @ 7:30 pm *Both matches are set for the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Health minister vows to publicly call out non-performers CATHERINE HALL, St James — Faced with mounting criticisms about the state of the country’s health sector, the minister with portfolio responsibility Dr Christopher Tufton has signalled his intention to no longer be the proverbial fall guy. According to Tufton, he is now prepared to name the entities or persons to be blamed in instances when tasks are not completed despite money being made available by the Government. “It is not acceptable and my role as minister is to call it out when I see it. Whether it is the supplier, or the manager, or indeed the patient, it has to be called [out]. I am in that mode now. “You know why I am in that mode now? I am in that mode now because I can’t go to my Cabinet and my prime minister, my minister of finance, or my minister of legal and constitutional affairs and complain as I would eight years ago, that we need more money,” said Tufton as he addressed the official opening of the renovated and expanded Catherine Hall Health Centre in St James last Friday. “I am not saying we couldn’t do with a little more [money], you know. And I am not saying we have everything we want, but I am saying we have enough where certain things should not be allowed to happen. “So if we are going to demand more, we have to show good stewardship for what we have. And all of us have to feel like we are vested in that. It’s as simple as that. It’s a very simple message,” added Tufton hours after he used a media conference at the Bustamante Hospital for Children to blame private sector entities for the delay in the repairs to the air-conditioning (AC) unit in the operating theatres at the facility. “Yesterday [Thursday], I spoke about Bustamante [Hospital for Children] and I spoke about Victoria Jubilee. Today I am in western Jamaica [and] I am prepared to talk about Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where in one section of the building, a brand new 15-ton air-conditioning unit was installed a year ago. “And since everybody is vexed because I called dem names, I am not going to call the company name this time [but] after a year, I am told by the technical people, it is still underperforming,” said Tufton before getting confirmation from members of his team that the AC unit is not working. “The contract with the supplier, which put in something wrong, [and] they can’t find out what’s wrong, or if they know what’s wrong, they can’t fix it. Or when I ask them, why is it that we don’t store HEPA [high efficiency particulate air] filters [which remove at least 99.97 per cent of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and any airborne particles] for the main AC system, which has to be changed once a year, and you still have to wait six months to get a HEPA filter? Why is it that the supplier can’t put it in stock and store a couple of them, so we don’t have to wait six months?” questioned Tufton. He declared that he is going to stop asking questions of the suppliers behind closed doors but will do so in the public square and let the chips fall where they may. “If it is management’s problem, we’re going to have to deal with management to fix it, and if it’s the supplier’s problem, we’re going to have to deal with the suppliers to fix it. “I am not the supplier. I am not curry favouring for anybody except for the people who expect better service and are entitled to better service based on the resources that have been allocated,” declared Tufton. The fired up minister, who has in the past been accused by Opposition spokesman on health Dr Alfred Dawes of embarking on a public relations campaign aimed at misleading the public to overshadow the harsh failures of Jamaica’s public health system, was adamant that he would not allow non-performers to spoil the improvements taking place in the public health sector. Continuing his address Tufton said: “I have a lot on my mind and I’m talking it straight because we run the risk of undermining our legacy as a people having experienced the greatest potential for transformation, milking the cow and kicking over the bucket. And I’m not going to make that happen under my watch. “Not without protest and this is where I am at. So, I am not here to offend anybody. Based on what I said yesterday, today, or indeed tomorrow but I’m saying to everybody, pull up your socks and do things differently as a demonstration that you are being given the support. And, to whom much is given, much is received and I think that is only fair”. Tufton added: “If I give a man a contract to put in an air-conditioning unit, I should not be waiting one year after the system is installed for it to give me maximum or optimal efficiency, as is the case right now at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.” In pointing to the Catherine Hall Health Centre — which was renovated and expanded with the expenditure of more than $57 million by the National Health Fund under the ministry’s Operation Refresh Programme — Tufton noted that the work included the installation of a new AC system and expressed hope that it will be maintained. “When you go in there you are going to realise that the open space has a glass reinforcement against the burglar bars because we put in a massive AC unit. I expect that the AC must run its useful life and that it must tune-up when it is supposed to tune up. And the filter must change when it’s supposed to change. I don’t want to hear that in a year the AC broke down and it stays broken down for the next two years, and it becomes even hotter

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority Dr Delroy Fray has declared that, despite the limitations of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James, which is currently under rehabilitation, the institution is capable of providing world-class services to breast cancer patients. Dr Fray has also indicated that, in addition to breast cancer treatment, the hospital is also equipped to perform breast reconstruction for those who have no choice but to remove their breast. “I will tell you, we have the facility at Cornwall that if the patient is so inclined, you know, the emotional aspect of losing your breast, we have plastic surgeons who can reconstruct the breast as well. In spite of what our limitations are, and we do have limitations, we try to work the best that we can to offer our patients the best service there is,” added Dr Fray as he addressed a Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry town hall meeting held at Montego Bay Cultural Centre last Friday. Dr Fray said the hospital currently has two excellent radiation oncologists and a well-equipped radiation department. But Dr Fray lamented the strain that trauma cases are putting on the facility. “If you understand what trauma is about. These patients are multiple injury patients. They’re coming with a head injury, neck injury, lower spine injury, abdominal injury, [and] major limb trauma. That is something that burns your health budget and we were able to look after 1,223 [gunshot wounds and motor vehicle crash patients] during [January 1 to August 31],” said Dr Fray. A breakdown of the figure shows that 135 gunshot wound victims visited Cornwall Regional Hospital during the eight-month period. In that time, 742 males and 346 females involved in motor vehicle crashes were also seen at the facility. A wider look at the hospital’s workload indicator shows that between January 1 and August 31, 26,169 patients visited the Accident and Emergency Department compared to 23,655 over the same period last year. In addition, 8,923 patients were admitted to the hospital’s wards in comparison to 8,582 for the same period last year. Regarding major surgeries, 1,343 were performed during the eight-month period this year with 628 minor surgeries also performed. Data for the corresponding period last year was not available. Dr Fray pointed out that several of the trauma cases require some amount of critical care and pointed out that measures are in place to manage bed space at the hospital. “We have a container at the front that we refer to as our high-dependency unit. From time to time we can activate that to look after critical patients and, down at the Falmouth Hospital, we have three beds for critical care. Now, someone might say to me, ‘So what if you have six patients that need critical care?’ We would be able to… readjust ourselves to deal with it. But what if we need 10? This is where collaboration is important. We now have to look outside of the region and we would liaise with, mainly, the UHWI [University Hospital of the West Indies] team to see how they can help us in that way,” explained Dr Fray. Cornwall Regional Hospital, which has been under rehabilitation for the past seven years, is a 10-storey, Type ‘A’ institution which was officially opened to the public on May 10, 1974. At that time, the hospital located in Mt Salem was considered one of the most elaborate and sophisticated institutions of its kind in the world.

President of John Mills Primary PTA says parents ready to pull their children if principal is reinstated HEAD of the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) of John Mills Primary and Junior High School Mark Trought says parents are fully prepared to withdraw their children from the institution and stage a protest if suspended Principal Bradly Robinson, who was recently freed of pornography charges, is allowed to return to the school. “We do not want him to return as principal. We are saying yes, the courts have freed him, but we are of the position that he should not return to the school,” Trought told the Jamaica Observer. In 2014 Robinson was arrested and charged by detectives from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) following allegations that he was communicating with a student at the institution by sending her lewd photos via WhatsApp. He was suspended as principal pending the outcome of the case. When the matter was brought to court in October, Robinson’s attorney Hugh Wildman argued that his client should be freed because the nine-year delay in trying the case was a breach of his constitutional rights. The prosecution was given a week to respond to the attorney’s application, but on October 18 informed presiding judge, Justice Sonia Bertram Linton, they were not offering any further evidence against the principal. Robinson was discharged. Wildman then implored the judge to return a formal verdict of not guilty and the judge granted the order. Trought noted that the judge has yet to make a written judgment and the chairman of the school board has refused to act until this is done, claiming that his hands are tied. “As a member of the board and PTA president of the school, I vehemently disagree with the chairman, Dr Adolph Cameron, that the board hands are tied in the matter. The chairman is of the view that since the court has decided to dismiss the case then the board has no other alternative but to allow Robinson to return to the school in his substantive post without even a personnel committee hearing to decide if he is still fit and proper to remain as principal,” said Trought. He argued that the board should not wait on the formal verdict, but act immediately to have a proactive response. “We don’t know how fast Mr Robinson will act as soon as the written judgment is made out. If it comes in the morning, he could come back to school in the afternoon — we don’t know. That’s why we are asking the chairman to let us have a board position before the written judgment, but he says he is waiting and I think that is not a responsible position to take by the board,” added Trought. “We should prepare ourself for what the written judgment is going to be, seeing that we know what the oral judgment is — the case was dismissed. We are of the thought that if he [Dr Cameron] is not preparing us to look at the matter in a responsible manner, then we think that he is aiding and abetting the return of the principal,” argued Trought. When contacted by the Observer for a response on whether the board would reinstate Robinson, Dr Cameron said he had no comment. He also refused to provide a comment on all questions relating to the topic. Trought, however, further expressed concern that many parents were not made aware about Robinson’s case and the possibility of his return. He stated that while a meeting was had with members of staff, there was no communication to parents about the matter. “At my executive meeting and meeting with the parents last week I had to tell them about the situation because it was the first they were hearing about it. They were willing to move their child immediately,” said Trought. He stressed that Robinson must face a fit and proper panel. “If the principal is fired by the board, we feel he has the option to appeal as every human being have that right. Let him appeal it, but don’t tell me that your hands are tied. Fire him and make him appeal. Don’t tell me as chairman that you are hoping he will go away quietly,” said Trought. “What message are we sending to the children? Does anyone even care? This is a school with children who mostly reside in the inner city. Poor people pickney so vulnerable in many ways. There are numerous allegations that other staff members have abused children in the past and have been let off the hook and I hear at least one is cheerleading the return of Robinson. What are we doing here?” he questioned. Trought said in protest, he has taken action to remove his child from the institution, but will remain as president to represent the interest of other parents who elected him. However, if Robinson is reinstated, he said that he will step down as president. He further noted that a meeting is scheduled for this week where parents and executive members will be presented with an agreement to sign which states that if Robinson is reinstated they will pull their children from the school and engage in protest. “The principal [Robinson] cannot return as principal to the school,” declared Trought. TROUGHT…the courts have freed him, but we are of the position that he should not return to the school

Unforgettable night planned for this Saturday The iconic R&B trio Boyz II Men is set to make their highly anticipated return to Jamaica this Saturday, October 26, for a performance that promises to be an unforgettable night of music and nostalgia. Known for their timeless love songs and smooth harmonies, the Grammy-winning group is excited to reconnect with their Jamaican audience after a long absence. “We’re excited to be back in Jamaica. It’s always such a vibrant place with amazing energy,” said lead singer Shawn Stockman. “It’s been too long, and we can’t wait to see the fans, soak in the culture, and, of course, indulge in some of our favourite Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken, oxtail, and rice and peas!” Since launching their tour in early 2024, Boyz II Men has been selling out shows worldwide, and the group credits their longevity to their deep connection with fans and the timeless appeal of their music. “People fell in love with our love songs, and that love has carried us through the years,” Stockman reflected. “It’s amazing to see how our music transcends generations and cultures. After 33 years, the passion people have for our songs continues to inspire us.” Sharing the stage with Boyz II Men will be two of Jamaica’s top performers, Tessanne Chin and Lila Iké, adding a distinctly local touch to the evening. “It’s important to showcase the incredible talent Jamaica has to offer,” Stockman added. “Music has no borders, and Jamaica has always embraced us. There’s no need to reintroduce ourselves here — the connection is real, and we’re honoured to be performing alongside such talented local artistes.” Bryan Grant, director of Live & Direc, the driving force behind Boyz II Men’s upcoming performance in Jamaica, shared his enthusiasm for the event: “We are happy with how things have been progressing. The feedback we’re getting is very encouraging. Jamaicans are really excited about this event. They can’t wait to see the iconic Boyz II Men on Saturday. Having our own Tessanne Chin and Lila Iké on this line-up is a testament to Jamaica’s incredible talent. We’re expecting an unforgettable night of music, energy, and unity. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure an exceptional experience for all attendees. We can’t wait to make this Saturday one to remember!” Adding to the excitement, Cash Pot, a member of the Supreme Ventures Group, awarded 200 lucky players VIP tickets to the event, and the winners are eagerly awaiting the show. CPJ is also proud to be a sponsor, adding another layer of prestige to the evening, alongside support from Mayberry Investments. Boyz II Men first performed in Jamaica in 1991 and have since built a strong and lasting connection with Jamaican fans. With a set list packed with classics like End of the Road, I’ll Make Love to You, and Motownphilly, fans are guaranteed a night of nostalgia and celebration. “Put on your dancing shoes, warm up your voices, and get ready for a night of singing, dancing, and good vibes,” Stockman encouraged. “If you know the songs, sing them loud! We’re grateful for over 30 years of love and can’t wait to share this unforgettable night with you.”

APIA, Samoa (AFP) — Britain’s King Charles faced calls to reckon with his country’s colonial past Thursday, as a summit of Commonwealth allies turned into a fractious debate about the legacy of slavery and empire. Leaders from the 56-nation Commonwealth — made up mostly of British ex-colonies — gathered for a summit in Samoa, hoping to prove the bloc is still relevant. But instead of uniting to tackle pressing issues like climate change, Charles III’s maiden summit as king has been overshadowed by history. Many African, Caribbean and Pacific nations want to see Britain and other European powers pay financial compensation for slavery, or to at least make political amends. They want this summit in particular to commit to a discussion on the topic of reparatory justice — a debate Britain’s cash-strapped government has tried to stymie. The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip Davis told AFP that a debate about the past was vital. “The time has come to have a real dialogue about how we address these historical wrongs,” he said. “Reparatory justice is not an easy conversation, but it’s an important one,” Davis added. “The horrors of slavery left a deep, generational wound in our communities, and the fight for justice and reparatory justice is far from over”. The British royal family, which benefited from the slave trade over centuries, has also faced calls to apologise. But the monarch stopped well short of that on Thursday, asking summit attendees to “reject the language of division”. “I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” he said. “None of us can change the past. But we can commit, with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly rejected calls to pay reparations, and aides have ruled out an apology at the summit. A draft summit communique calling for debate on colonialism is the subject of fierce negotiations. One diplomatic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that developed countries were trying to water down the language in the final communique. “The call for reparations isn’t simply about financial compensation; it’s about recognising the enduring impact of centuries of exploitation and ensuring that the legacy of slavery is addressed with honesty and integrity,” Davis insisted. Joshua Setipa from Lesotho, who is one of three candidates vying to be the next Commonwealth’s secretary-general, said reparations could include non-traditional forms of payment such as climate financing. “We can find a solution that will begin to address some injustices of the past and put them in the context happening around us today,” he told AFP ahead of the summit. Kingsley Abbott, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, said the apparent inclusion of the text on reparatory justice was a “significant advancement” for the Commonwealth. He told AFP it “reveals the door to meaningful dialogue is opening”. The British monarch is concluding an 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa, both independent Commonwealth states, the first major foreign trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

UHWI to take 11-year-old scoliosis patient An 11-year-old girl whose spinal surgery at Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) was postponed due to inadequate conditions at the operating theatre received promising news on Thursday from Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. The minister said that arrangements have been made for the surgery to be conducted at University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). He noted, however, that if it cannot be done by a visiting overseas medical team, who are slated to leave the island tomorrow, then another solution will be found. Tufton made the announcement at a news conference called at BHC in response to a Gleaner report on Thursday highlighting the plight of Ajanae Parchment who had been scheduled for surgery to correct an “aggressive” form of scoliosis. However, the newspaper reported that her mother, Sandra Aitcheson, was told last week by an orthopaedic surgeon that the procedure could not be conducted because the operating theatre had no air-conditioning. Tufton said that when he was informed about the situation on Wednesday, he made some inquiries and, after reading the Gleaner story on Thursday morning he made more inquiries, then followed up with some other hospitals and the team at BHC. “I’m happy to report that as of now the University Hospital of the West Indies has consented, based on discussions, and with the lead clinician there Dr Carl Bruce having consulted with his team, to make an operating theatre available, to make all the necessary equipment available, to make the supporting team staff available, so that if the team that is here… that is leaving tomorrow, is able to facilitate the particular case then the patient will be facilitated for the surgery to take place,” he said. While the health minister’s announcement most likely provided relief to the mother and her child, it did not prevent Dr Robert Brady, who heads the medical mission from the United States, from expressing frustration with some of the health infrastructure challenges he and his team have encountered. “I come here because I want to help the people… I want to do good, that’s why I come here twice a year… I have been coming here for 20 years. There are clear infrastructure issues that need to be solved,” Dr Brady said after he joined a press conference following completion of one of the scheduled mission surgeries. Dr Brady said when he heard about the air-conditioning issues two months ago he had made a request for the problem to be fixed. However, “my request was ignored,” he said. But the Jamaican-born orthopaedic surgeon and spine specialist insisted that the situation is unacceptable, as Jamaica, he said, is the most technologically advanced Caribbean island in health-care, and as such “our hospitals have to be the gold standard”. “People come from other islands so we can take care of their children because [they know the value of] our healthcare system…and we have to maintain that, so we have to go through the hospitals and make sure the autoclave systems are working. We can only do single instruments now, that’s an issue. The air-conditionings have to work and we understand… there’s other things that we need to do to fix it. But these need to be addressed, fixed, and the money needs to go into helping these children,” he said. “I come here twice a year, I bring a whole team and we donate thousands of dollars of equipment that we want to help these people. If you guys have to put the infrastructure in place to allow us to do that, it’s absolutely necessary,” he said. In response, Dr Tufton acknowledged that the country has a perennial, systemic problem with the maintenance of equipment and medical plants, but noted that the Government has been spending hundreds of millions to upgrade public health infrastructure. He again pointed out that, to address some of the issues with poor maintenance, the Government has made the decision, starting in another month, to lease equipment instead of purchasing them. “One of the problems we have that you don’t have in the US — and I fully appreciate that you won’t understand that context, but I think it’s important to share — is that while in the US there can and is available the capacity to maintain equipment… and those equipment are either depreciated based on useful life and then taken out and replaced or serviced routinely by service men and institutions that are readily available, in Jamaica, as is the case in similar countries like ours, people have to fly in from Germany, from Canada, from New York,” Tufton said. “We’re told that when parts are down, they have to be manufactured and it takes five months…we have to find a way around that,” he added. He said that under the lease arrangement, no equipment will be acquired unless there’s an extended service agreement, and the outsourcing of maintenance to a firm that carries with it all the technical capacities. “So the challenges we face here are very different from the ones that you have where you are, and I wish we didn’t have them,” he said. Dr Tufton said that it was unfortunate that Dr Brady and his team have to work under less than ideal circumstances because he is accustomed to a particular standard in the US. He insisted, however, that his response is not an attempt at “excusing away” the problem, but “an attempt to elaborate on the context of why we have these issues and why we have to do more to solve them in a more systemic way. And that, I hope, is fully appreciated and understood, and also that we’re taking some steps to address those issues.” In the meantime, the health minister said the country is grateful for the work of the mission in improving and saving lives “and I want to publicly thank you and your team for your commitment to this cause.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Government is expected to spend $1.8 billion over three years to recruit 300 agricultural wardens to tackle the pervasive problem of praedial larceny which is costing farmers in the region of $14 billion annually. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green made the announcement on Tuesday during a statement in the House of Representatives. He said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has commenced the recruitment drive for the first 100 wardens. “Thus far advertisements were placed for agricultural wardens …on August 18 and 25, 2024. I am pleased to indicate that the first recruitment drive is taking place today, as we speak, October 22, at the Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland, having started at 8:00 this morning,” Green told the House. “I am advised that already more than 100 persons have applied at the event,” he shared. Once recruited, the first 100 agricultural wardens will participate in an extensive training programme to include, among other areas, enforcement modules – fundamentals of police duties and procedures; firearm training; defensive tactics and drills; community-based policing; evidence recording; court preparation; target hardening. Additionally, they will be trained in agriculture modules – livestock classification; agricultural practices and the Ministry’s traceability systems; and legal modules – legislation;, case preparation and mock trial exercises; and motorcycle/motor vehicle driving certification. The wardens will have the powers of district constables. “In keeping with the objectives of the Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act, the Agricultural Wardens Programme is to put more boots on the ground to strengthen the fight against praedial larceny and bring about positive change in the sector,” Green said. “This crucial initiative is an essential part of our government’s ongoing commitment and efforts to reduce the scourge of praedial larceny on the agricultural sector thereby supporting growth, food security, and rural transformation,” he added. The minister said the curriculum has been completed and training is scheduled to start in January 2025. Of the projected $1.8 billion, some $390 million will be expended in the first year of the programme. According to Green, the programme is projected to result in increased enforcement actions against perpetrators, improving detection, prosecution, and deterrent rates, enhanced surveillance, patrols, and community awareness and reducing economic losses sustained by farmers because of praedial larceny. “This will further result in increased agricultural productivity and profitability in the sector, ensuring food security and economic stability,” he said.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Patrina Campbell, a mother who spat on a woman who took in her daughter after she left home at age 18, has pleaded guilty to charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and assault at common law. The plea was entered before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The charges stem from a July 2, 2024 incident at Papine Square, St Andrew, where Campbell confronted the complainant in front of a supermarket. According to court documents, Campbell threatened the woman, stating that she was going to hit her. She then reportedly spat in the complainant’s face and pulled out four of the woman’s braids. In court, Campbell explained that her daughter had recently turned 18 and left home following a misunderstanding. She told Judge Burrell that since moving into the complainant’s home, her daughter had not been in contact with any members of her family. The case was referred to mediation, where both parties later reached an agreement. Campbell agreed to pay the complainant $60,000 in damages. Her bail was extended, and she is expected to make the first payment when she returns to court for case management on November 18, 2024. During the proceedings, the complainant also expressed that she feared for her life in her community because of accusations that her husband had raped the complainant’s daughter, to which community members have since ostracised them for. “Do you know of a complaint that her husband raped your daughter?” Judge Burrell directed at the accused. Campbell denied any knowledge of such allegations. “Then you need to tell the community to cut it out,” Judge Burrell advised.“I don’t care if you said it, or somebody said it. You are telling me that nothing nuh go so, so I am urging you to tell the people in the community that ‘I don’t know where you got that from but that is not true.”

MADRID, Spain (AFP)— Vinicius Junior scored a sublime hat-trick as Champions League holders Real Madrid came back from two goals down to hammer Borussia Dortmund 5-2 on Tuesday. After a shock stumble at Lille in their previous European match, Madrid crushed Dortmund, in a repeat of last season’s final, with a superb second half display. Carlo Ancelotti’s side claimed a record-extending 15th Champions League crown at Wembley and, as in that match, struggled in the first half against the Bundesliga side, who went two goals up through Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens. However Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius pulled Madrid level with two goals in two minutes and Lucas Vazquez fired home the third after 83 minutes. Vinicius produced a brilliant solo goal for Madrid’s fourth and slammed in the fifth as Los Blancos ended Dortmund’s 100 per cent start to the competition by producing another comeback to add to a vast collection in Europe. “We know that when we are at home, with our fans, anything can happen,” Vinicius told Movistar. “We went in (at half-time) very quiet and just listened to the coach, we said just one thing. “If we scored the first, we would come back once again, and we made another comeback, thanks to the fans and the whole team who gave everything.” After midfield maestro Toni Kroos’ retirement and while trying to bed Mbappe into the team, Madrid have struggled to find balance and consistency this season. They were frustrated for the first half an hour of the game by the visitors, unable to create clear cut openings before the game burst open. “We have to learn from what we are capable of in this second half with high intensity and high tempo, we have to start games like that, not wait until they have scored two to react like we did,” warned Ancelotti. “To be more balanced in terms of intensity between the first half and the second is something we have to achieve and I am sure we will do it.” Malen opened the scoring with a cool finish after Julian Brandt won the ball back on the edge of the area and Serhou Guirassy squeezed a pass through a tight gap to find the Dutch winger. Four minutes later Malen created the second, using his explosive pace to escape Ferland Mendy and crossing for Gittens to gleefully finish. Madrid responded by carving open Dortmund before the break but without finding a killer finish. Bellingham, without a goal in 10 games this season, headed straight at Gregor Kobel when he ran onto a scooped pass into the area. The England international, facing his former club, then struck the crossbar from close range on the rebound after team-mate Rodrygo had also hit the woodwork, with Madrid fans barely able to believe they had not scored. The hosts turned the screw in the second half and Kobel saved well at the near post from Lucas Vazquez but could not keep out Rudiger’s powerful header from Mbappe’s cross after an hour. Two minutes later Madrid were level when Mbappe was tackled in the area but the ball fell invitingly for Vinicius to stroke home with ease. Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin, formerly a Madrid player, took off goalscorers Gitten and Malen but his team could not keep the insatiable hosts at bay. Madrid’s comeback was completed by Vazquez after Rodrygo did well to keep the ball from going out of play, and Vinicius added shine with his fine fourth. The Brazilian, expected to claim a first Ballon d’Or on Monday in Paris, carried the ball forward without support and produced a lethal low finish. Vinicius then added a fifth by bursting into the area and rifling past Kobel, also issuing a warning to La Liga leaders Barcelona who visit the Bernabeu on Saturday in La Liga. “We’ll go for it, in our stadium, with our fans, and we will fight for everything this season like always,” added Vinicius.

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, has named the valedictorians for its graduating Class of 2024 who will deliver messages of hard work, perseverance and ‘Pelican Pride’ at five graduation ceremonies scheduled for October 31 to November 2. The class of 2024 valedictorians are: Saran Ffrench for the Faculty of Social Sciences (The Mona School of Business and Management); Britney Hay for the Faculty of Medical Sciences; Candace Ramsay for the Faculty of Humanities and Education; Serene Shirley for the Faculty of Engineering and Nathan Walker for the Faculty of Social Sciences. “These students not only excelled in their studies, they also excelled in their communities beyond the campus and intend to continue to serve as a beacon of light and source of inspiration for their peers and the nation,” UWI said in a release. This year’s series of graduation ceremonies is themed Celebrating Caribbean Legacy: A Kaleidoscope of Resilience, the university said. Valedictorian Britney Hay (BSc Nursing) will make her address at the graduation ceremony to be held on Thursday, October 31 at 4pm; Nathan Walker (BSc Economics) on Friday, November 1 at 10am; Serene Shirley (BSc Biomedical Engineering) on Friday, November 1 at 4pm; Candace Ramsay (BA Integrated Marketing Communication) on Saturday, November 2, at 10am; and Saran Ffrench (BSc Human Resource Management) om Saturday, November 2, at 4pm. Meanwhile, the university noted that the ceremonies will mark some important firsts as Chancellor Dr Dodridge D Miller, a distinguished UWI alumni himself, who took the highest office as The UWI’s 7th Chancellor in August, will be presiding for the first time. A new, redesigned academic regalia (gowns) are also being unveiled.

INCREASES in interest rates are always a matter of concern in the Caribbean, because of their impact on homeowners and businesses. Today’s column explores these concerns, weighs them against the benefits deposit holders may gain from interest increases, and discusses the factors that influence interest rate changes. From the householder’s point of view, the most consequential impact of interest rate changes is on their ability to secure a mortgage, and the size of home they can afford. At an interest rate of four per cent, the monthly payment on a US$100,000 mortgage for 20 years is US$606, or a total of US$7,300 for a whole year. A household would need to have an after-tax income of at least $18,000 to qualify for that amount, if they have no other debt. However, if the mortgage rate increases to eight per cent from four per cent, the household has to have a net income of $25,000 to qualify, 38 per cent more than at the four per cent interest rate. Looking on the other side of the coin, a reduction in mortgage interest from eight to four per cent not only affords less affluent households an opportunity to own a home, it means that the $25,000 household can finance a larger and better-appointed home. Their $850 monthly payment for a $100,000 mortgage at eight per cent, now covers a mortgage of $140,000 at four per cent. The mortgage interest benefit becomes significant only when changes in interest rates are quite large. In the example above, a fall of just one percentage point in the mortgage rate, from eight to seven per cent, reduces the monthly payment by a mere $61. In normal circumstances, changes in mortgage rates that are as large as four percentage points will materialise only over the course of years, not months or quarters. What matters for the household is the cumulative effect of persistent increases in interest rates over time, rather than quarterly or annual changes of one-quarter or half a percentage point. Businesses large and small also benefit from low interest rates, which help to contain the cost of trade credit, inventory and other operating and transactions costs. Much like households, they are not very affected by small interest rate movements, unless increases persist for long enough to add up to a change of several percentage points. Their impact on the affordability of mortgages and the finance costs of business operation and commerce are the only consequential effects of interest rate changes in the Caribbean. Such increases are harmful and decreases beneficial only when they are large or persistent over several years. While movements in interest rates can have notable impacts on businesses and households with mortgages, the same is not true of deposit holders. There are no significant benefits to deposit holders from interest rate increases that might offset the losses from the reduced access to mortgage finance. Savings deposit rates are typically between two and six percentage points below the mortgage rate. With the mortgage rate at four percent, the saver can expect two percent or less on their bank deposit. A household with US$5,000 on deposit would earn no more than $100 a year. Should the mortgage rate rise to eight percent, the gap with the deposit rate may widen, with the depositor receiving no more than four per cent, or $200 a year. Caribbean governments and central banks are limited in their ability to reduce interest rates by the great extent to which the countries’ trade and financial relationships are conducted in US dollars. The main factor that influences the mortgage rate and the prime rate offered to the banks’ best customers is the US Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate. Local loans attract an additional amount which depends on the credit risk which the bank assigns to the local currency in each country. Interest rate policy in the Caribbean boils down to maintaining a stable US dollar value of the domestic currency and prudent management of the public finances to reduce perceptions of the riskiness of domestic lending. The overall aim should be to keep domestic rates as low as the trend in US interest rates will allow, for the benefit of actual and aspiring homeowners, and to contain business costs.

Coach Glen Mills calls for strong intervention after Paris letdown After witnessing a less-than-expected medal haul at the Paris Olympics in the summer, Racers Track Club Head Coach Glen Mills believes track and field in Jamaica could decline significantly if the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) does not improve how it governs the sport. The island took home six medals during the games in the French capital with four coming from field events. It was Jamaica’s lowest medal tally since the 2004 Athens Games and the first time since the 2000 Sydney Olympics in which no Jamaican finished with a gold medal in the sprints. Mills, who guided the career of sprint legend Usain Bolt, says he wasn’t surprised by many of the outcomes and says the JAAA needs to act quickly. “We have to pay attention to what happened in Paris and what happened in the recent World [Under 20] because they are showing the cracks and symptoms that exist that need urgent attention if we do not intend to fall into the quagmire that West Indies cricket has gotten itself into,” he said at a UWI-led symposium. “I remember, as a youngster when I used to listen to cricket, it was as if West Indies was unbeatable in any form of the sport and they had a tremendously long reign but I don’t think any attention was being paid to the weaknesses of what was needed for the continuity to perform at a high level,” he added. Mills, now, is concerned that a comprehensive review hasn’t been done by the JAAA “I have not heard any attempt to have a commission of inquiry, or whatever you want to call it, into what were the problems and the causes of such a dramatic drop in our medal earnings. The standard that we have been able to maintain for several decades means this sudden drop requires attention,” he said. “If we listen to Stephen Francis, myself and a number of players in the game, we have been pointing out and crying out for things to be attended to, but it has been falling on deaf ears. Especially a couple of interviews I’ve listened [to] with Stephen Francis, a number of things he pointed out years ago is now beginning to affect us significantly.” Mills says the leadership of the JAAA doesn’t seem to value the opinions of those involved in the sport. “I can’t recall us being summoned to any kind of forum where all the top coaches of the clubs are involved in a frank and clear discussion with the administration. Most of it has been through interviews and informal talks and discussions, so we find very little attention has been given to the points raised, so we continue to have the divide between what we think is in the best interest of the sport and the athletes, as against what the association thinks.” Mills says the coaches and leaders of the track clubs locally must have a greater say in the track and field programme. “There needs to be a greater interworking relationship or connectivity between the coaches, the club administrators who are the persons on the ground involved in working with the athletes and whatever campaign or programme to earn additional medals or increased performance; they have to be a major part in whatever planning and programme that is going to be developed. “Too often, the executives of these associations do not involve the membership in their day-to-day work and planning. Yes, they’re the executive body and must lead but you cannot have that disconnect because you will not have the kind of cooperation and unity of purpose that is necessary for success.” He also believes the JAAA needs a drastic overhaul with the growth of the athletics globally,” he said. “The sport has evolved far more than what it used to be 20-30 years ago and therefore it requires a more professional and trained approach in running the sport, which in the case of track and field, we have international status of the highest level and unfortunately, our administrative structure has lagged behind in the way we do things,” said Mills. “We need to have the administration look at itself, probably do an administrative audit — if there’s such a thing — to identify what are the problems that exist and how are we going to tackle them because we cannot continue going into world competitions and expect to get the kind of results that we need if we do not correct our current approach.”

Jamaica takes giant step to build nuclear industry with the help of Canada JAMAICA has made a giant leap towards becoming the first Caribbean country to introduce nuclear power in the energy mix, ending decades of talk about the move with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to achieve the aim. The goal is to use the technology to generate clean electricity while fostering economic growth and improving energy security. The MOU signed Tuesday “represents a significant advancement in Jamaica’s pursuit of innovative and clean sustainable energy solutions, focusing on nuclear research and development,” Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy and Transport said in remarks at the ceremony. “The purpose of this MOU is to explore the possibilities,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledged as he quickly pointed out that things are at an early stage in talks to bring nuclear power to Jamaica. Jack Craig, president and CEO of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, called it a “first step” towards a road map that now paves the way for the Government and its Canadian partners to start “fleshing out” the direction the country will go with nuclear power, including providing training for Jamaicans to work in a nuclear industry that goes beyond power generation and include areas such as applying the technology to strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change through applications in agriculture, water management, and environmental monitoring. “I think the first step is what we are going to do this afternoon,” Craig told the Jamaica Observer in a short interview following the signing ceremony. He left shortly after to meet with officials at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, to have discussions aimed at understanding the country’s needs and capabilities surrounding nuclear energy. The UWI, Mona, has the Caribbean’s only nuclear reactor since 1984, a SLOWPOKE-2 research reactor designed by one of the current partners, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL). “We also in Canada, through CNL, have partnerships with seven Canadian universities. So there may be an opportunity to bring students here and take students from Jamaica in internships or partnerships at CNL. I think that is the first step that we will discuss this afternoon,” Craig continued. He said such exchanges will be critical to helping the country quickly get up to speed with building out a nuclear industry in the country. The other aim is to help in technology exchange. Holness indicated that with the work to be done under the MOU, he is hoping the country will be in a position in 10 years to make a decision on not only going nuclear, but also deciding what technology to employ and how to employ it to maximise the benefits for Jamaicans. The Canadians say they are not trying to sell the country any particular nuclear technology beyond providing technical advice that can be used to make an informed decision. The technology being eyed is the small modular reactors (SMRs) which are built in factories and shipped to the site to be assembled, cutting construction time significantly, which would go a far way in reducing the likelihood of cost overruns and not completing the facility on time. SMRs generate up to 300MWe of electricity, and Holness said though the technology is in the early stages of development, Jamaica is getting ready to embrace it as soon as it is proven, with a few being built around the world at the moment. Beyond clean, renewable power, Vaz said the intention is to explore the use of nuclear technology in Jamaica for waste manage and the use of radioisotopes, especially in the fight against cancer. Howard Shearer, a director of CNL and CEO of Hitachi, Canada, thinks Jamaica can go to the extent of producing radioisotopes for local use and export. “Currently, Canada supplies about 70 per cent of the isotopes in the world, (depending on the isotope), but there are also plans within the private sector to localise part of that, that’s part of the development that I think will evolve from this MOU, and I am participating in this discussion,” Shearer shared with the Business Observer without giving further details out of respect for the stage at which the talks are currently. But keeping a keen eye on concerns that may be raised by those fearing the worst of nuclear power in light of meltdowns at nuclear energy facilities at Fukushima in Japan in 2011, Chernobyl in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) in 1986 and Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979, Holness gave assurances that public safety will be a top priority. “We understand the concerns many Jamaicans may have regarding safety, and I want to assure the country that we are approaching this with caution, care, and the utmost regard for the well-being of our people and environment,” Holness said. He is also hoping that advanced nuclear technology can be deployed in Jamaica to help the agricultural sector by deploying it to “develop crop varieties that are more resilient to droughts and extreme weather — conditions that are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Similarly, nuclear techniques can be employed to monitor and protect Jamaica’s marine ecosystems, helping to preserve biodiversity and safeguard our vital fisheries,” the prime minister added. Still, while things are at an early stage in developing a nuclear industry in Jamaica, there is urgency to get the country ready to make the decision when the time is right. “We need to start acting quickly…It’s easy to sign a document, but it’s only meaningful if you start taking action,” Fred Dermarkar, president and CEO of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited told the Business Observer. Apart from providing training for scientists and engineers in advanced nuclear technology, the country must develop regulations for the sector. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will provide support in that regard with the hope that in five years guidelines could be developed for regulating a nuclear

Veteran dancehall artiste Mr Lexx has a new track on the airwaves, titled One Life. Produced by DJ Blast from Martinique, the track is featured on the Disinterest rhythm. “My song is about just having a good time as usual, you know I’m a person who is always ready for a good time,” the artiste told the Jamaica Observer. Known for hits such as Cook, Full Hundred, Halla Halla, and Ring Mi Cellie, the latest track has been getting rave reviews since its release and is expected to continue reaching more ears around the world. “My hope for this song is simply for it to buss,” the artiste added. Completed in just about a year, the rhythm contains four tracks in all, and also features G Whizz, Natwali, and Era Don. “This project is a collective effort that involves musicians from all over the Caribbean. People can definitely expect more music from us and should follow the movement and stay tuned,” DJ Blast told the Observer. Though a first-time collaboration as artiste and producer, they have previously worked together in production capacities, and will surely collaborate again. The other artistes also joined in through various connections. “I had a direct link to most of those artistes before. Mr Lexx and G Whizz had done business with me before and Natwali is a local artiste who I’ve known for years as well. One of my Grenadian friends connected me with Era Don and the rest is history,” the producer continued. Producing under NTDHR Music, DJ Blast’s first project was released two years ago and there are plans for continued projects and growth in the coming months. Music lovers can also expect more collaborations with Mr Lexx, who is currently focused on promoting his Diggy Nation clothing line while enjoying touring the US. “We want to make the songs and the messages they convey as popular as possible. I personally think people need to hear more positivity,” DJ Blast added.

St James police will not green light shows featuring ‘Lick dung police a grung’ artiste MONTEGO BAY, St James — The police in St James will no longer approve events that include a performance by trap-dancehall artiste Eddy G Bomba, known for a song that seemingly glorifies motorists mowing down cops holding speed guns. Police chief for the parish, Superintendent Eron Samuels told the media of the decision on Tuesday, after a visit to offer condolence to the relatives of Police Constable Linroy Codner. The constable died in hospital Sunday morning, 16 days after a motorist allegedly reversed then deliberately slammed into him and he fell several feet over a precipice before landing in a crumpled heap. On Tuesday, Samuels told journalists it would be distaseful for the police to show any form of approval for the Eddy G song which describes similarities to the way in which the constable lost his life. The viral hit No Cap has a line that says “betta move yuh speeda gun, the beast a cum, mi wi lick dung police a grung”. “I personally will not approve of that artiste performing anywhere in St James, I can tell you that much,” said the senior cop. “Because the emotions that will be evoked by police officers, I don’t think it will be right for us losing a member in such a manner and giving support to that kind of song. I don’t think it would be wise, based on the impact on the St James society as a whole who are mourning the loss of a police officer in that manner,” he added. The lawman spoke of how music can influence behaviour, especially in an era of such heavy reliance on social media. “This particular song, based especially on comments that you are seeing [under online posts], is changing how persons view police officers doing their lawful duty,” he said. Samuels made clear his disdain for the Eddy G song. “This particular song, whilst I am for freedom of speech, sometimes not all rubbish should be free and so there are things that sometimes we have to censor,” he said. “The age of social media makes it harder for you to ban these things but what I am calling on is the average, sensible, law-abiding Jamaican to understand right from wrong and to ensure they work with the police,” the superintendent appealed. The song has racked up more than a million views on the streaming platform, YouTube. It has also become the soundtrack for games and memes making the rounds on Tik Tok. No Cap began gaining popularity in August after a cop was hit by a motorist in St Andrew. It again became a topic of discussion in October when Codner was hospitalised. However, according to Eddy G, the song is his way of warning police to stay safe as they try to nab speeding motorists. “It is a safety precaution because the man them just jump out like them don’t have any sense more while,” he told podcaster Jai Frasson earlier this year. Superintendent Samuels has warned individuals who mimic the actions referenced in the song that they will be punished. “They ought to understand that when they go outside of this realm there are consequences, as we will see especially with [Codner’s] case,” Samuels said.

Pleasant Heights residents worry about future; PM insists State won’t yield to criminals As residents tried to process Monday night’s brutal slaying of five men at Pleasant Heights, Rockfort, in Kingston, Prime Minister Andrew Holness visited the community and made a broad appeal to law-abiding Jamaicans to isolate gangsters, while reiterating that the State will not sit back and allow organised criminals to threaten the country’s security. “The challenge we have always had in communities like this is that there are persons who claim that they lead the community and they have some leadership role. They ascribe to themselves the title don and there is a battle for control of turf, for whatever reason; whether it is to control drugs or scamming or whatever criminal activity, or just an ego issue, and these persons enlist young men and try to get them to carry out their illegal activities,” said Holness, who was accompanied by National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, Member of Parliament for Kingston East and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell, and senior police officers. “More and more, Jamaicans are realising that these men who claim to want to protect the communities, who call themselves elders, don, or dads, or whatever term they use to describe themselves, are nothing but criminals, people whose only intent is to undermine your security. And if they are allowed to do so, they will ultimately claim your life,” the prime minister said. “They are of no value to the communities, and it’s about time that all communities realise that these persons serve no good purpose. They organise violence as we have seen here. It was not an impromptu action. It was not an act of passion. It was not something that just happened at the spur of the moment. Someone sat and thought about it. Someone procured the firearms and the bullets. They may even have paid persons to do this. Someone stood as a lookout to say now is the time. It was an organised activity. There must be no succour, no favour, no sympathy for these persons who organise this, they are criminals and they must be seen in that way,” Holness said. He pointed out that the security forces have started to restructure their operations to deal with the threat of organised, armed criminal violence. “We’ve used the anti-gang legislation and we are eroding the gangs as much as we can,” he said, adding the number of gangs have been reduced from almost 600 to 150. “The strategy is to be pre-emptive, in addition to the kind of kinetic operations that we have,” he said, then reiterated his warning to criminals, issued after the Cherry Tree Lane massacre in August that the security forces will pursue killers and the decision is theirs, “either they meet a judge or meet their maker. I encourage them to meet a judge”. Hours after Monday’s attack, the security forces shot dead a man who was believed to be one of the gunmen who committed the murders. Police said that a firearm was seized after the encounter with the suspect. The gun attack on National Heroes’ Day was carried out while scores of people from the community and many from other nearby communities were having a good time. After a football tournament involving adults and children ended on Monday night, residents turned their attention to a children’s spelling competition. The Jamaica Observer was told that just as the spelling competition was being brought to an end, guns started barking and all the people who were competing, plus those who were spectators ran for their lives. Four of the murdered men were identified as 51-year-old Ortavia Austin and his 29-year-old son Okero; 32-year-old Odane Josephs otherwise called Bones; and 38-year-old Rosrick Thomas, otherwise called Teniel. The other slain man was unidentified up to press time on Tuesday. “Thank God I am living right now. Me, my son and granddaughter were up there in the night,” one woman told the Observer on Tuesday. “That little girl you see right there, she won the spelling contest. As she done spell and we a get ready for the bun-eating contest, shot start fire. All my son knee chip up. We had to hide under a car while shots were sailing overhead. Do you know the feeling when you just talk to somebody and them dead? That was what happened,” the woman said. “When shot done, I came out and saw five men on the ground. It was like a confusing movie. Nobody knows what led to this or where it is going. One of them is like my son. He and my daughter are in the same age bracket. A father and a son were also killed. The father liked peace, not violence. He told people to make money and the only thing we do up here is try to make money,” she said. The police imposed a 48-hour curfew in sections of Rockfort Monday night, which was good news for the woman. However, she wanted to know what level of protection would exist for the community after the curfew is lifted at 8:00 pm today. “The police are here and we are glad. But after 48 hours, are we on our own? We want the police to continue circling the place so people can think before they try anything else,” she said. One man, who was heading to work when the Observer arrived in the community, said he was “heartbroken”. “The community came back together as one on Monday. It was just nice. Football was keeping and everybody was laughing and enjoying themselves. All of a sudden, it was commotion,” he said. Another man, who tried to explain the chaos triggered by the attack, pointed to slippers and other footwear left behind after people ran for their lives. “I saw people running and I started to run too. When you look, my yard was filled with people who were seeking refuge and I couldn’t turn them back. Everybody

– UK guest comes out in support of protesting Royalton Negril staff HANOVER, Jamaica — Romani Watson has been working at Royalton Negril since the hotel opened its doors in 2017, but on March 6 of this year, he was allegedly injured from a fall on the job. The young man, who has reportedly been recuperating from a fractured hip bone and injury to his back and has a more than $300,000 corrective surgery bill, joined via video call to stand in solidarity with his colleagues who on Monday took to the streets in protest against several issues impacting them at the hotel. Watson, speaking with Observer Online, alleges that since the accident, apart from some support from his supervisor and two others, he has been getting little assistance despite a written report provided to the management team detailing his plight. “Mi sit down at mi yard. Mi not getting pay. Nothing at all. Nobody nuh call. Mi have mi family. Mi have mi youth dem fi take care of. The only thing dem ah tell mi about is insurance,” he lamented. Watson, who also disclosed that he has sought advice from the labour board, said his health has become a challenge. “You know that all my money is going into doctor bills because I have to be dealing with a bone specialist and therapy. Mi feel pain every night. If I stand up on my foot, I feel pain,” stated Watson who said he was told that the surgery is a must despite him letting the specialist know that he does not have the money. Efforts to reach the hotel’s management were futile. On Monday the workers protested over what they say are poor treatment of staff, inadequate pay and being overworked, among other things. “This is not Royalton Negril. It is Royal slavery,” the protestors argued. One worker, Amal James, suggested that there is a need for the hospitality industry to be unionised, “where we can voice the concern and get things done.” “Most of the time, you cannot talk for your right. When you check your pay and you talk about it, nothing at all they can do about it. So, they just have an iron fist on you and deal with you as they please,” stated James. James said since the hotel started electronic payment of salaries, some workers have yet to receive their pay for the past month and a half. Another worker, Jason Griffith, alleged that staff are mistreated by hotel guests who are irritated by insufficient amenities provided by the hotel. “They can’t buy the basic amenities for the guests to use and when you go to the guest, they slam the door in your face and tell you all kind of something. When you rebel about it, they (management) make it seem like we are the problem and they sit one side and push you one side,” stated Griffith. Griffith also complained about insufficient uniforms provided. “Most hotels give their workers three or four uniforms. We get two uniforms. So, you see when mi guh home, mi haffi mek sure mi wash it fi tomorrow and you see if rainfall, mi haffi put it behind a fridge or something to dry. That is nonsense. We need more uniform,” stated Griffith. A guest from the United Kingdom who gave her name as Lisa Rodriguez, said she is in full support of the workers’ call for better. “I believe that the treatment of the staff is disgusting. I think the staff deserves better pay. They deserve to have drink and food during the day. It shouldn’t be that they have to pay for their own food and their own drink. This is not acceptable. They are not allowed to take their own water in, how is that acceptable? We are in 2024. We are not in the old days where people got nothing,” argued Rodriguez, who has two more weeks on vacation at the hotel. “They (hotel workers) treat us with respect. They are amazing to us. They are caring and considerate. They are a credit to themselves and the way they are being treated is not acceptable,” added Rodriguez to a round of applause and gratitude from the protesting workers. The 573-room property which was open to the public in 2017 currently has more than 1,000 employees. – Anthony Lewis.

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Global growth is expected to ease slightly to 3.2 per cent this year and remain at that level in 2025, the IMF announced Tuesday, while warning that the stable figures masked “important” regional and sectoral shifts. In its new World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the International Monetary Fund also estimates that global inflation will continue to ease, hitting 5.8 percent this year, before falling to 4.3 per cent in 2025. “We are seeing inflation moving in the right direction without a major slowdown in economic growth or a global recession,” IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told AFP in an interview ahead of the report’s publication. “In our baseline analysis, in advanced economies (inflation) will be back at central bank targets in 2025,” he continued, adding it would take “a little bit longer” for emerging markets. The Fund’s WEO report noted that global growth is expected to trend to a lackluster 3.1 per cent by 2029, and warned of growing risks to that metric. Beneath the relatively calm outlook for growth through 2025, “the picture is far from monolithic,” the Fund said, warning of “important sectoral and regional shifts” taking place over the past six months. The WEO’s publication comes a day after the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings got underway in Washington, bringing together finance ministers and central bankers from around the world for meetings on the health of the global economy. The report finds that the United States has remained an engine of global growth — in sharp contrast with the euro area, where expansion remains slow. The world’s largest economy is now expected to grow by 2.8 percent this year, down ever-so-slightly from the 2.9 percent seen in 2023, but still a shade better than the Fund’s previous estimate in July. It is then expected to ease somewhat to 2.2 percent in 2025 — up 0.3 percentage points from July — as fiscal policy is “gradually tightened and a cooling labor market slows consumption,” the IMF said. “The US economy has been doing very well,” Gourinchas said, pointing to strong productivity growth and the positive effects of a surge in immigration on economic growth. He added that the United States is “very close” to achieving a soft landing — a rare feat in monetary policy, where inflation falls to within targets without spurring a severe recession. In Europe, growth is still trending higher, but remains low by historical standards, and is on track to be at an anemic 0.8 percent this year, rising slightly to 1.2 percent in 2025. While France and Spain saw upgrades in their outlook for 2024, the IMF cut its projections for German growth by 0.2 percentage-points this year, and by half a percentage-point next year, citing its “persistent weakness in manufacturing.” There was some good news in the United Kingdom, where growth is projected to accelerate in both 2024 and 2025, “as falling inflation and interest rates stimulate domestic demand.” Growth in Japan is expected to slow sharply to just 0.3 percent this year, before accelerating to 1.1 percent next year, “boosted by private consumption as real wage growth strengthens,” according to the IMF. The Fund expects the growth in economic output in China to continue to cool, easing from 5.2 percent last year to 4.8 percent this year, and then falling further to 4.5 percent in 2025. “Despite persisting weakness in the real estate sector and low consumer confidence, growth is projected to have slowed only marginally,” the IMF said, pointing to “better-than-expected” net exports from the world’s second-largest economy. The slowdown in India looks set to be more pronounced, with the IMF penciling in growth of 7.0 percent this year, down from 8.2 percent in 2023. It is then set to slow even further to 6.5 percent, as the “pent-up demand accumulated during the pandemic” runs out, the IMF said. The IMF expects growth in the Middle East and Central Asia to pick up slightly to 2.4 percent this year, before jumping to 3.9 percent in 2025 as the temporary effect of oil and shipping disruptions fade. And in Sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF predicts that growth will remain unchanged at 3.6 percent this year, rising to 4.2 per cent in 2025 as weather shocks abate and supply constraints ease.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Waterhouse are joint second in the Jamaica Premier League after edging Harbour View 1-0 in their game played at Drewsland on Monday. Atapharoy Bygrave scored his fifth goal of the season when he beat goalkeeper Romario Palma for Waterhouse to win their third straight game and fourth in five matches. The win took Waterhouse to 12 points, the same as Portmore United and one point behind leaders Montego Bay United. It was back-to-back losses for Harbour View who fell to eighth place in the points tables. Tivoli Garden won their first game of the season in the first match of the double header, edging promoted Racing United 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Horatio Morgan who scored in the 80th minute. Tivoli Gardens, who have played four games, are on four points, the same as Racing United but with a better goal-difference for 11th place. -Paul A Reid

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Five persons were shot and killed at a football match held in the community of Rockfort in east Kingston on Monday evening. The Constabulary Communication Unit, the information arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, confirmed the incident but had no details. “Seven persons were shot and five people were killed,” Superintendent Tommielee Chambers, who is in charge of the Kingston Eastern division, told Observer Online. We will have more details later.

Let’s face it, when it comes to major beauty campaigns the Saint International models stay booked and busy. From Martinican Aurelie Giraud sharing the spotlight with American actress Zoë Kravitz for YSL Beauty in 2022, Wayne Booth for Fenty Beauty that same year, and now Tami Williams on lip service for Christian Louboutin Beauty Rouge Louboutin​ SooooO…Glow lipstick. The new campaign features a rouge-lipped Williams showcasing the new ultra-glow lipstick. Christian Louboutin reinterprets its iconic lipstick with the first refillable and customisable collection Rouge Louboutin SooooO…Glow. Fifteen shades, three cases, six emblematic charms: Invent your own version of Rouge Louboutin.

McClaren won’t rule out Ravel Morrison’s return NATIONAL midfielder Ravel Morrison has received high praises within the last week, and a return to the Reggae Boyz set-up hasn’t been ruled out by Head Coach Steve McClaren. The 31-year-old, who hadn’t played for a professional club match for two years, signed a deal with United Arab Emirates (UAE) second division club Precision FC. He has made four appearances for the club so far and scored his first goal on Friday in a 3-2 win over Al Ittifaq. It’s a significant career change for a player who was once on the books of many-time English Premier League champions Manchester United. Morrison hasn’t been able to have a prolonged spell at any club, playing for 13 different clubs since 2012 including West Ham, Lazio and Sheffield United. His last appearance came in 2022 for DC United in Major League Soccer (MLS) but, prior to signing for Precision FC, he has been training on his own. In an interview this week, France’s World Cup winner Paul Pogba, who was in the Manchester United academy with Morrison, believes his talent was unmatched. “Let me tell you: Ravel is the best player of my generation that I have seen,” Pogba told the Daily Mail. “No doubt. I saw stuff Neymar was doing at Santos — Ravel was doing that.” “In a way I feel sorry, but at the same time players have this responsibility — and he knows it. He realises that if he had to make it again, he wouldn’t make the same choices he’s made in the past years.” In the past, Morrison also received glowing remarks from United greats including Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand. However, the Former England youth representative has started a new chapter in the UAE and will be looking to make a return to the Reggae Boyz. Since his switch of allegiance in 2020 Morrison has made 18 appearances for Jamaica, registering two goals and two assists. He, though, hasn’t been called up since the Concacaf Nations League A match against Mexico in March 2023. But now signed to a club, McClaren says his return to the national set-up is open but difficult. “If players are good enough, and are progressing, and we think they can play at a certain level — our level — then we will look at them,” he said. “But believe you me, we have people out there in every country with their eyes on Jamaican heritage players so that process will always continue.” Throughout his 14-year career Morrison has played just under 200 matches at club and international level. The most appearances he made in a single season was for Wayne Rooney’s Derby County with whom he played 38 games for the English Championship club.

BALAGOLLA, Sri Lanka (CMC) — West Indies bowling coach James Franklin is calling for better execution from his bowlers for the remaining two matches of their One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka. The West Indies lost the opening ODI on Sunday by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, after over three hours of play were lost due to heavy showers. It means the Windies must win the final two matches — the second of which is on Wednesday at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium — if they are to capture the best-of-three series. Franklin, the former New Zealand all-rounder, said he believes the West Indies fell down in the bowling department. “We were given a total that we felt that we could defend, and we had a great start with the ball. We got three wickets in that power play reduced down to eight overs and had Sri Lanka under some pressure, but they had a really significant partnership with the Captain Asalanka and the debutant Madushka,” Franklin said. “We probably weren’t as good with our execution with the ball yesterday [Sunday] — I think that will be the general reflection — and going into the next game I think we can be a lot better with our execution, with our lengths particularly. “Look, we’re 1-0 down in this three-game series. We’ve got a couple of days now to reflect and work on where our improvements lie going into this next game.” Franklin said the Windies expected a tough challenge against Sri Lanka, especially with the wickets tailor-made for spinners. And while he admitted that the opening loss was disappointing, he maintained that the Windies were still very much in with a chance of winning the series. “We’re on a journey as an ODI team and we have to keep improving, keep trying to move ourselves up the rankings in terms of the ICC table,” he said. “We’re coming here to Sri Lanka — who has always been a good team in their own country and difficult to beat in their own conditions — so we know we have a huge challenge these next couple of games… “While yesterday was disappointing we know that we’re still in this series, we know we have a huge game coming up on Wednesday and we just have to execute our skills for longer. “We know what surface we’re going to get — it’s going to be a very similar surface again — so we’re going to prep well today, tomorrow, and make sure that we’re a little bit better with our execution or better with our execution with the ball.”

…feels ‘sweet’ about national honour Renowned Jamaican singer Nadine Sutherland had several reasons to be celebrating on Monday having been vested with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer by the Government of Jamaica, as well as releasing a new track titled 9 out of 10. The entertainer, who is celebrating her sapphire anniversary in music, was more than thrilled. “Having this honorary accolade means a lot to me. It means that the amount of work that I’ve done over the years was recognised, and it gives you some degree of validation. Mi nah guh seh I am humbled, mi aguh tell yuh seh mi feel sweet,” she told the Jamaica Observer on Monday. Her career started at the tail of roots-reggae, with her initial songs, Young One Like Me and Starvation on The Land, produced and distributed by Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong label. She added that her dominance in music is owed to an organic connection she has with the art form. “Forty-five years in the music industry that is male dominated, I don’t think there was any recipe; I don’t think that I thought about it. I always say that music chose me… There were so many times that I felt like it was over, and I did things to ensure that my future would be bright, like going and getting a master’s [degree]. I said to myself, ‘When it’s over, I have to live nice.’ But, there’s nothing I can say was the recipe to ensure that I did it for longevity or anything like that. I can say it’s God, and that music chose me,” Sutherland said. In the 1990s Sutherland had sizable hit songs with Baby Face, Action (alongside Terror Fabulous), and Wicked Dickie (with Buju Banton). She is also a prolific harmony singer, whose vocals appear on songs by Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and John Holt. As it relates to her latest track, produced by Steven “Lenky” Marsden and distributed via VPAL music, has an accompanying music video dedicated to Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis. The song “ 9 out of 10 speaks to going through different aspects of a relationship and deciding that you’ve made a commitment and you’re going to stick it through”, she shared.

Trustee report reveals SSL victims have limited recovery Victims of the alleged fraud that took place at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) are likely to see next to no recovery of their money, according to a recently filed trustee report which estimated $4 billion in losses for under 300 client accounts. The investment house is currently bankrupt and being wound up under the supervision of court-confirmed trustee Caydion Campbell of PRAISE Trustee Limited. The pro forma balance sheet of the company showed that it had assets of $770.45 million with $670.12 million being due from related parties. However, there was a deficit of $364.97 million after accounting for the various liabilities that SSL had accumulated up to May 31. In the three scenarios presented to realise the value of remaining assets on the books, the category four creditors, ie affected trust claimants or SSL clients who were allegedly defrauded, and SSL promissory noteholders would receive no distributions after payments are made to cover the winding up and pay the tax authorities. “It may, however, be moot whether these claims are included. As it stands now, there will be no funds available to make any distribution to these [category four] creditors, unless the proposed SSL victims compensation fund is funded via recovery from the unaffected claimants and/or otherwise resulting from court action,” stated Campbell’s redacted and reissued report filed in the Supreme Court of Jamaica. The proposed SSL victims compensation fund would be funded from a 7.5 per cent quasi-management fee applied on SSL’s off-balance sheet portfolio or remaining unaffected client assets. That fee would bring in an estimated $345 million which would see $153.50 million being allocated to that compensation fund. According to the trustee, the compensation fund would be directed towards victims/affected trust claimants with a contingent claim who were victims of the alleged fraud committed by Jean-Ann Panton. Panton, a former SSL wealth advisor accused of fleecing roughly $940 million from more than 30 SSL clients over a 10-year period, has been indicted on three counts of larceny as a servant, three counts of falsification of accounts, five counts of forgery, five counts of uttering forged documents, three counts of engaging in transaction involving stolen property and three counts of breaches of the Cybercrimes Act. She is the only person so far charged in relation to the alleged fraud. The proposed SSL victims compensation fund pales in comparison to the purported fraud that has been announced by the Financial Investigations Division, but is in the ballpark of what has been recorded on SSL’s balance sheet for a contingent liability. One notable victim is WellJen Limited, a company connected to track and field legend Usain Bolt, which is missing US$6.1 million to an estimated US$12 million in funds. A co-founder of a major hardware business also has reported losses in this region. SSL received US$1 million ($153.5 million) from its fidelity insurance policy in September 2023, but those proceeds were already used in running the operations of the company when it was under temporary management by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). Campbell’s report explained that aggressive recovery of the related party balances might be limited due to SSL proprietary estate’s current state of affairs. He suggested that it might be appropriate for a discussion to be had with the committee of inspection to trigger the winding up of the related parties and bring them under some formal administration to potentially recover related party balances. “It is to be further enquired into whether some imprudent investments were made with and through these entities, since it does appear that some clients’ funds were used to finance these investments. It also warranted further enquiry into whether, in other instances, clients were induced into investing in SSL Growth Equity Limited (SSLGEL) and Delta by key representatives of SSL. Some clients have asserted that they gave no instructions/authorisation to make these investments and are ‘surprised’ that they were part of their holdings,” stated the trustee report. The report noted that most of SSL’s balance sheet is currently built up of related party balances with parent company SSLGEL owing the firm $391.32 million, SSL Capital Cayman owing $222.26 million, Delta Capital Partners Limited owing $47 million and others owing $9.54 million. SSL Growth Equity directly owns 62.50 per cent of SSL with George Chai owning the remaining 37.50 per cent of the company. Hugh Croskery directly owns 23.30 per cent of SSL Growth Equity with his family interest including Mark Croskery, Sarah Meany and Phillip Croskery adding up to 51.41 per cent. Chai was referenced as being the apparent largest beneficial owner of SSL. “I should point out that, although outside of the scope of my appointment, the information available to me suggests that SSLGEL would be both balance sheet and cash flow insolvent. It would be expected that this would have been aggravated by the status of SSL which it had relied on for financial, managerial and governance support. That is, the subsidiary was in fact taking care of the parent company,” Campbell explained on the status of SSL Growth Equity. Prior to January 2023 when news of the alleged fraud became public, SSL Growth Equity and SSL had entered into a settlement agreement in December 2022 under which SSL Growth Equity would transfer its assets directly to SSL to reduce the debt of the securities dealer. Some of these assets included its shareholdings in SSL Asset Management (Cayman) Limited, SSL Capital Cayman Limited, a company in the Cayman Islands which owned the franchise rights for Papa John’s Pizza in the territory and a 20 per cent stake in Jamaican water firm Lifespan Company Limited. However, it does not appear that these asset transfers were consecrated based on SSL’s most recent financial statements. Also, Papa John’s Pizza closed its operations in the Cayman Islands in March 2023 which further reduces the value of SSL Capital Cayman. SSL Growth Equity is the subject of different lawsuits, including one from Chai and Spectrum Capital Partners

•Pain of losing cop to gunman’s bullet lingers as wife accepts his award for gallantry •Two-year-old granddaughter still on quest to find her ‘papa’ Joseth Fairclough was a study in composure as she collected the sole posthumous Medal of Honour for Gallantry on behalf of her husband, Constable Ricardo Fairclough, on Monday during the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, painfully aware that their family’s eyes, including those of her only granddaughter who was still on a quest to find her “papa”, were glued to her face. Breathing deeply to keep her grief at bay, the widow gracefully accepted the whispered comfort of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who presented the award, but confessed to the Jamaica Observer afterwards, “Inside I am dying”. “I tried to hold it in. I thought I was even going to fall, but I tried to hold it in. His eldest daughter is here watching me and his granddaughter, so I don’t want them to see me break down, so I tried to hold it. I tried to sustain myself and be strong for everyone. I know some of his colleagues are here as well; if I break down, everybody is gonna break down so I didn’t want to mess anything up,” she told the Observer her face awash with emotions. Her husband, who was assigned to the St Ann Divisional Operational Support Unit, was killed in the line of duty in April this year. According to the police report, Constable Fairclough had fired his service pistol at a gunman who had shot a 24-year-old female vendor in her upper body. During an exchange of gunfire, the constable was hit in the upper body. Fairclough and the vendor were taken to hospital and the cop died while being treated. The 43-year-old was the first member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) killed in the line of duty this year. For Joseth, that moment has been replayed in her mind a million times and, had she been able, so would Monday’s ceremony. “I appreciate what is happening, but I am sad to know that he is not the one collecting it, if it was even with one leg, if it was even with half of his brain gone, I would be pushing him here, but not having him at all is where the pain is,” she shared. “We’re here doing all of this but inside I am dying. My heart was racing so fast up there, I tried taking deep breaths, because that is what the doctor would say, ‘Take deep breaths’,” she told the Observer her face coming alive when her two-year-old granddaughter bounced into view, her aunt in tow. “This is my granddaughter and our eldest daughter; this is his favourite granddaughter and the only one,” she said smiling slightly for the first time during the interview. The two year-old, Destini-Skylar, however, has been on a quest to find her “papa” since May when she landed in the island for his funeral and has continued her search since her recent return. “When we first came in May she ran and hugged a police officer who was in uniform and when she looked up [and saw that it wasn’t him] she turned away. This time when she came off the plane she was like, ‘Are we going to see papa?’, and I said to her ‘Yes, we are going to look for papa, but remember he is in heaven so we are going to the grave,’” Joseth related. “When we got to the house, she turned to his niece and said ‘Auntie, is papa in his room?’ and she broke down, she said to me ‘Auntie, you have to answer that one because I can’t,” Joseth recalled painfully. Destini-Skylar, unaware of death’s finality, continued her quest on Monday. “So this morning when we said ‘Are you awake for papa’s function?’ she said ‘Yes’ she started to smile because she is expecting to see him. When she saw the people in the uniform I think she feels much better,” Joseth noted. In the meantime, she admits that her family has a far way to go in the healing process. “His eldest daughter, she is not coping at all, she cries every day. The other two are stronger. We are trying, it is not an easy task, I have his pictures all over the house, his colognes are everywhere. He loved colognes. We are trying to hold up,” she confided. Fairclough was born in Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny, the last of his parents’ 13 children. He relocated to Lewis, St Ann, in his early 20s after he met Joseth. The fallen cop had plans to join his wife in the United States but had delayed that move adamant that he would spend some more time in Jamaica indulging in what he loved — policing. His death came just weeks before a planned visit to see his family in the US and be present at a routine doctor’s visit for his daughter who is pregnant with twins.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in the Pleasant Heights and Oliver Road  sections of Rockfort, Kingston following the shooting death of five persons on Monday, October 21. The curfew began at 8:00 pm on Monday, October 21 and will remain in effect until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 23. During the hours of the curfew, all persons within its boundaries are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorized by the ground commander. Five persons were shot and killed at a football match held in the east Kingston community on Monday evening. An undisclosed number of persons were also injured in the incident.

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Billionaire Elon Musk has donated almost US$75 million to the political action committee (PAC) he created to support Donald Trump’s United States (US) presidential campaign, according to filings made late Tuesday, illustrating the Tesla founder’s growing commitment to the Republican’s cause. Musk, estimated to be the world’s richest man, has taken an increasingly visible role in Trump’s campaign, accompanying him on stage at a recent rally in Pennsylvania and frequently lambasting his opponent, Democrat Kamala Harris, on social media. Trump frequently name-checks Musk at rallies, and has promised to appoint him to a committee tasked with slashing government bureaucracy. Harris and Trump are locked in a too-close-to-call race for the White House, according to polls. Musk’s America PAC has raised US$74.95 million for Trump’s cause in the period between July 1 and September 30, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. The PAC has focused on launching grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts, including in battleground states such as Pennsylvania that tip the overall national election result. On its website, America PAC offers those who sign up to help with voter turnout “US$30 per hour, with bonuses for performance”. Musk earlier said he would pay US$47 to anyone who gets a registered swing-state voter to sign a petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms. The billionaire endorsed Trump after the Republican survived an assassination attempt in July. In the same reporting period, Harris’s primary Harris Victory Fund PAC hauled in US$633 million, according to its FEC filing. Harris dramatically entered the race for the presidency after the withdrawal of incumbent President Joe Biden, following a disastrous debate performance against Trump in July. Since then, the current vice president has reinvigorated the party’s base and carried out a barnstorming campaign across the country, with a particular focus on battleground states. Her political action committee’s year-to-date receipts were nearing a billion dollars, the filing said, standing at US$931.2 million

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Disbarred attorney-at-law Jennifer Messado survived a car crash in the Corporate Area on Tuesday when her vehicle rear-ended another vehicle after her brakes allegedly failed. Messado was briefly hospitalised, then discharged and is now recovering from her injuries. “Jennifer came back from the hospital, she is fine. She was saved by her seatbelt and the airbags that deployed. What happened is that her brakes failed her and she ran into the back of the vehicle,” prominent attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend, who is representing Messado, told Observer Online. In the meantime, Messado is expected to stand trial on December 5 on allegations that she defrauded dancehall entertainer Mavado of more than $30 million in a real estate deal in 2018. Townsend gave a brief update on the status of that case. “The Mavado case has not started, they (the prosecution) never bothered with their application for Mavado to give evidence out of the jurisdiction, so it was adjourned. They feel they may not need him to make their case so there are some interesting times ahead,” Townsend said. The Father God deejay, whose real name is David Brooks, had wanted to give his testimony via video link from the United States during an earlier trial date, and his attorney, Oswest Senior Smith had made an application to this effect. At the time, there was some doubt about his testimony as there had been talk of an outstanding warrant for the entertainer’s arrest in relation to an incident years ago. Senior-Smith had said that the issue is moot because Mavado’s testimony was not “critical” to the case. “From my perusal of the file, the critical witnesses are the two who gave the accused lawyer the various sums on behalf of Mr Brooks,” Senior-Smith said at the time. “Mr Brooks’ potential testimony is little more than providing a framework.”

LILLIPUT, St James — President of Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Dr Mark Smith has come out in support of Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton’s call for tobacco legislation now being crafted to include measures that will also address the use of e-cigarettes among teenagers. “The reality is we need to have strong and robust legislation. We need to have legislation that can protect our children from developing addictions,” Smith told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday. He is concerned that students do not fully grasp the health implications of vaping nor realise that it can lead to long-term issues with lung capacity and breathing. “There have been some studies that look at the negative impact on your lungs and so we have to be careful of that — because it is well-researched that it is not safe. When you find a child with an e-cigarette they’ll tell you it’s safe, it’s not as bad as smoking a cigarette or marijuana or whatever,” explained Smith. The JTA president also pointed out that in the United States there has been significant pushback as lawmakers try to put guardrails around those they view as easily exploited by manufacturing companies. “That is where the Government policy is so important, and ensuring that we don’t have a generation that becomes hooked on liquorice and the old e-cigarettes,” stated Smith. He shared his views on the extent of the problem within Jamaica’s school system. “Based on my own experience and discussions, it’s not rampant [among younger children] but every now and then you’ll find a child carrying one to school, or hiding and using their parent’s or their big sister’s or brother’s e-cigarette. But the problem I think you’ll find is: You see a lot more [use] at the high school level and the tertiary level where[by] many of our young adults get addicted to this type of thing. It’s seen as fashionable without recognising the huge health risk that it poses to them in the long term,” argued Smith. His comments are in line with concerns expressed by the health minister on the sidelines of a Health and Wellness Ministry strategic planning retreat at Iberostar Resort in Rose Hall, St James, last week Wednesday. Tufton told journalists that parliamentary joint select committees are far advanced in their work which will then be debated for the possible passing of a tobacco law. The minister added that part of the legislation will address e-cigarettes, as well as enforcement and public education surrounding vaping. “That is going to be included. The same rules that will apply to traditional tobacco will apply to e-cigarettes,” he stated. Tufton explained that the legislation will focus on age restrictions, where e-cigarette use is and is not permitted, as well as all promotional aspects of these devices. However, he stressed he was not suggesting an outright ban. “We would like to discourage consumption altogether but we also recognise that we are in a society where people are old enough to make decisions, and the freedom of choice that we support as a philosophy is maintained,” the minister said. But he is particularly concerned that e-cigarettes are being designed to evade detection and appeal to youngsters. “They are easily camouflaged in the school system; they are like pens and pencils. They have other forms of marketing attached to them — whether it’s colours, whether it’s the smell of the tobacco, it’s the fluid that’s inside, different flavours — and it really is trying to target a wide cross section of the market,” stated Tufton. “The market is changing, and the marketing that is being deployed around these devices has become very attractive and catchy to the younger population, which means bad habits being developed and danger to themselves in their early years,” the minister added. A person using an e-cigarette. President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Dr Mark Smith says students do not fully grasp the health implications of vaping nor realise that it can lead to long-term issues with lung capacity and breathing.

UK-backed redevelopment work set to finally begin in 2025 AFTER years of discussions and planning, redevelopment work on the National Stadium is finally set to begin next year with a ground-breaking ceremony scheduled for August for the long-awaited project which aims to revitalise the facility, a cornerstone of Jamaican sports and culture since its construction in 1962. Minister of Sport Olivia Grange announced that the Government has accepted a joint proposal from UK-based entities Ryder Architecture and CAA Icon to oversee the project. These firms have collaborated on numerous occasions and have been involved in designing stadia around the world, including Emirates Stadium, home of English Premier League side Arsenal; England’s national team stadium Wembley; O2 Arena in London; and Italy’s Stadio Olimpico and San Siro. Grange pointed out that the redevelopment work will be carried out in five phases, taking approximately three years to complete. “I am feeling happy that we have reached a stage where we could announce the next steps and determine some timelines,” Grange said. “We are now able to explain the various actions that have to be taken on this path to redeveloping the stadium. This is massive for us, and I am just asking everyone to work together because there will be challenges in hosting events. “It is not going to happen overnight — because it will be done in five phases and will take approximately three years — but it is going to happen,” she emphasised. The redevelopment project will increase the stadium’s capacity from 28,500 to 35,000, and will bring several other infrastructure and convenience-related improvements which will enable Jamaica to bid for major global events like the World Athletics Championships. Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke — who also attended the ceremony held at the offices of the Ministry of Sports in Kingston — expressed his delight that work on the facility will finally commence next year. Redevelopment work on the National Stadium is set to begin in August 2025, after the Jamaican Government accepted a joint bid from two UK-based firms to oversee the project. Sharing the update during a meeting at the ministry’s offices in Kingston were (from left) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith; Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke; Minister of Sports Olivia Grange; Baroness Jennifer Chapman, UK minister of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Judith Slater, British high commissioner to Jamaica. (Photo: Karl Mclarty) “It’s welcome,” Dr Clarke said. “Jamaica has worked hard to achieve economic stability, and right now Jamaica needs technical capacity and cooperation more than we need financing.” He highlighted that this agreement includes technical contributions from one of the world’s foremost stadium designers, courtesy of the UK Government. Dr Clarke stressed the importance of his ministry’s close collaboration with the Ministry of Sports to ensure the redevelopment process goes smoothly. “My involvement is working with the ministries to support the development of the feasibility, and business case, and the detailed design. We will be getting assistance from the UK — and this UK firm in particular. At the end of this we will have a modern stadium, something that is 24/7-ready,” Dr Clarke stated. Baroness Chapman, UK minister of Latin America and the Caribbean, noted that the UK Government is excited to partner with Jamaica for the stadium’s redevelopment. “Today’s event is just the first of several occasions we will witness in the coming months and years as these projects come to fruition,” she said. “I am pleased that we are able to progress this iconic stadium.” Chapman emphasised that the assessment and feasibility deal is just the first step in Jamaica’s ambitious plans to upgrade its iconic stadium, where many track and field heroes began their journeys to Olympic and World Championships glory. “I am delighted that we have managed to get this deal over the finish line before Mr Nigel Clarke’s departure for his next role at the IMF,” she added. Garth Gayle, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administration Association, welcomed the news of the redevelopment. “I am more than happy; I am elated because Minister Grange has delivered,” Gayle said. “She has the clear support of the Cabinet and the British Government, and when the British Government enters into an activity, it will be well done. I am looking forward to the improved stadium, and I am sure this will assist us in bidding for world events like the World Under-20 and more.”

Rvssian’s Santa sees an uptick Shenseea continues to make upward movements on the Billboard rhythmic charts with Work Me Out, her collaboration with Wizkid. Work Me Out is featured on Shenseea’s sophomore album Never Gets Late Here. The song inches up from #41 to #40 in its 4th week on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Over on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart, Work Me Out works its way up from #29 to #25 after just seven weeks on the tally. And, on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay, Work Me Out moves up from #34 to #33. Roses by Tina aka Hood Celebrityy is on its way down the charts. It slides down from #45 to #48 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, while backtracking from #28 to #29 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. Santa by Rvssian featuring Rauw Alejandro and Ayra Starr inches up from #22 to #20 on Hot Latin Songs, while on Latin Rhythm Airplay it inches up from #11 to #10 in its 19th week on the tally. Santa slides down from #25 to #28 on Latin Airplay, where it peaked at #10. Now onto the sales and streaming-driven Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition by Iration which peaked at #8, jumps back onto the chart at #9. Bob Marley and the Wailers log 248 non-consecutive weeks at #1 with Legend, while Shaggy’s The Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection remains at #2. Dutty Classics Collection by Sean Paul is steady at #3. World on Fire by Stick Figure and Greatest Hits by UB40 are #4 and #5. Set in Stone by Stick Figure is #6, while Dutty Rock by Sean Paul steps up to #7. Wisdom by Stick Figure dips to #8 and Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze holds the #10 position. Ting a Ling by British reggae act The Blackstones spends a second week at #1 on the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart, while Caravan of Love by D Major inches up to #3. Money Talks by Mikey Spice cruises from #10 to #7, and Walk by Jango Thriller, Tina Flores and Master Luck debuts at #30. Over on the South Florida Reggae chart, Can I Call You Rose by Anthony Cruz is #1 for a second week, while Grateful by Etana inches up to #5. Lessons of Love by Christopher Ellis steps up from #23 to #21, while Thank You Lord by Bugle, Damian Marley and Buju Banton (#24), and In the Ghetto by Grub Cooper (#25) are new entries. Pick Up The Pieces by Steele takes over the #1 spot on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart, while I am the One by 6iix Gal debuts at #10.

Manchester North Western Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips is to be charged with breaching the Integrity Commission Act for failing to submit his statutory declaration for the period ending December 31, 2022. However, Phillips had already stated that he has since met all his obligations under the Act. The ruling by the Integrity Commission’s director of corruption prosecution states that there is prima facie evidence that Phillips breached the requirements under sections 39 and 41 of the Act and is therefore liable for prosecution. Both the ruling and the Integrity Commission’s investigation report on Phillips were tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, a week after being sent to the House. According to the commission’s director of investigation, Phillips “failed to submit the requisite statutory declaration to the commission by the due date”, and “provided no reasonable cause for his failure to do so”. The director of investigation said that a notice to discharge liability was served on Phillips on May 30, 2023, giving him 21 days to pay the fixed penalty of $250,000 to Tax Administration Jamaica and submit the outstanding statutory declaration to the commission. The commission said that checks made with the information and complaints division revealed that on May 31, 2023, prior to the expiration of the notice to discharge liability, Phillips provided the outstanding declaration. However, the payment of fixed penalty was not made by the legislator. “This was confirmed by a certificate of non-payment of fixed penalty, received from Tax Administration Jamaica, which was submitted to the commission on June 26, 2023,” the director of investigation said in his report, which he referred to the director of corruption prosecution for consideration. However, last Friday Phillips issued a statement saying that while his submission was later, he had complied with all the commission’s requirements. “I wish to state that my 2022 statutory declaration was unfortunately late due to a delay in getting all the relevant documents. Shortly after the deadline, the documents were submitted and I have since fully complied with all the requirements,” the parliamentarian said. “As a public servant, I take my responsibilities seriously and while the statutory declaration was delayed it is not connected with illicit enrichment. All my statutory declarations have been certified and the late-filing penalty of $250,000 has been paid,” he added.