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.

Panton issues stout defence of Integrity Commission’s work Justice Seymour Panton on Tuesday dismissed as untrue, accusations that the Integrity Commission (IC) is partisan and driven by malice as he issued a stout defence of the entity’s performance during the sitting of the parliamentary committee charged with monitoring and reviewing its functions. Panton, who heads the commission, opened his statement to the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee stating that the individuals who have made the accusations know that they are not true. “The commissioners have noted over the past couple of years that remarks have been made that the commission is partisan and that there is malice in its operations. I’d just like to point out that the persons who made those statements know that it is not true. They know that we know it is not true, and they know that Jamaicans know that it’s not true,” said Panton, a retired jurist. Panton also highlighted previous commendations of the IC by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who said “the commission continues to distinguish itself, operating without fear or favour in pursuit of a just and corruption-free society”. Additionally, Panton addressed the issue of the IC’s reports to Parliament being leaked before they are tabled and insinuated that the leaks could be the doing of actors within the Parliament. Pointing out that the IC’s 2022/23 annual report was dispatched to the Parliament in late June and the letter that he signed sending it to Parliament was dated June 24, 2024, Panton said, “I did notice that no sooner than the annual report left the offices of the Integrity Commission there was public broadcast of it before it was tabled. And I noticed that it happened also with another report that was sent subsequently, and another report that was sent last week.” Added Panton: “If it is thought that anyone in the commission is leaking these reports, we would like it brought to our attention, we’d like it investigated, because anybody in the commission who leaks, if it’s an employee — instant dismissal. “But I find it strange that all these things would be leaked immediately after [they] leave the commission and [are] sent to Parliament. I find it puzzling to understand if it is happening from the commission, why is it that the leak is delayed until it is sent away from the office. I cast no aspersions,” he said. However, Panton’s comments angered Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson who, in a statement after committee meeting, strongly rebuked the commission chairman. Tavares-Finson, who is not a member of the oversight committee, said he is confident that the integrity of the processes Parliament observes in zealously abiding by protocols concerning the confidentiality of reports prior to tabling is beyond reproach. He accused Panton of misleading the Parliament when he suggested that information from the commission is leaked only after it is sent to the legislature. “This is not so. We had an instance where in November of 2023 details concerning an alleged probe by the commission were reported on in extensive detail by The Gleaner before any report was sent to Parliament. In another instance, an Opposition Member of Parliament recently used a political platform to, in a most vulgar manner, predict the tabling of a report by the Integrity Commission,” Tavares-Finson said. During Tuesday’s sitting, Justice Panton firmly told the committee that the IC “takes orders from no one other than the court”. He also charged that an MP has released a document with photos of four commissioners, accusing them of trying to bring down the Government, but the action has not been condemned by any parliamentarian. “We are doing what the legislation permits us to do,” he said and insisted that the IC should not be pilloried for doing its job. “There are also parliamentarians sending out WhatsApp notes of all sorts of reprehensible things, and I hope that somebody will take the leadership to correct them. We on the commission are committed to doing what the legislation permits us to do. That is what is happening and it is not fair for the employees to be set in a stage where they can be set upon,” he said. Panton also told the committee that he has been a lay preacher in the Methodist church for decades and as such it is not in his nature to be malicious, and neither are the IC’s commissioners. “There may be persons who need to repent and they can join me at church — Providence Methodist — any Sunday,” he said. The retired jurist then injected a light moment in the proceedings. “I don’t know if something is wrong with the water in Parliament why some people, the moment they get into Parliament they say certain things and behave a certain way. I don’t know if that is it. As a result, I decided that I wasn’t going to take the chance of drinking any water here,” Justice Panton asserted as he displayed a bottle of water he had taken from his bag. The gesture elicited laughter in the chamber. He also said he intends to try to meet with Government Senator Dr Saphire Longmore, who is a psychiatrist, “to have a word with her because it may well be that she needs to have a word with some members of the House”. Those comments, however, did not go down well with Tavares-Finson who described them as “rude, disrespectful, offensive and out of order”. He said Justice Panton “should introspect and offer a suitably worded apology to the Parliament for his contemptuous comments”. In response, committee Chairman Edmund Bartlett said he and the other members of the committee are concerned about Panton’s claims and assured them that “there is no determined effort to undermine or otherwise to stigmatise and/or categorise any member [of the commission] in any negative or derogatory way.” Bartlett added that the committee was established to enable a better and stronger working relationship and to remove all the doubts and shadows that may appear or seem

Tufton encourages more child-rearing for those able to afford it, to stabilise declining population Noting the decline in the number of births, annually, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton on Tuesday encouraged Jamaicans to think about having more children, once they can afford to do so. “It is quite relevant to say, in support of a little bit of population increase, if you can afford it, why not have?” Tufton said during the handover ceremony of the refurbished breastfeeding room at Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston. “I was studying the [birth]numbers from 2018 to present and it is actually declining. We are coming from 7,116 in 2018 to 6,018 annually in 2023,” he said. The minister was guest speaker at the ribbon-cutting and reopening of the breastfeeding room, which was renovated with money raised by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston through the club’s Skip a Meal initiative which encouraged people to bypass a meal and donate the funds they would have used to purchase that meal. A total of $500,000 was donated towards renovating the room. Tufton pointed to a recent Jamaica Observer article which highlighted that not enough babies are being born to replace the number of people who are dying. The article reported respected former public servant Reginald Budhan as saying that if the fall in Jamaica’s birth rate continues unabated, the island’s vision for developed country status will remain a dream. The article pointed out that Jamaica’s Population Health Status Report 2000–2022, which was tabled in Parliament in May, showed that the country continues to face a low birth rate problem, with the total number of live births in the country declining sharply over the last 20 years. Overall, it said Jamaica’s crude birth rate, which is the number of annual live births per 1,000 population, declined by 10.2 percentage points from 21.7 per 1, 000 population in 2000 to 11.4 per 1000 population in 2022. “If you study the numbers, you will see that our replacement population is actually at a rate that is lower than our capacity to sustain ourselves. That may sound kind of extreme and concerning, but the average woman of child-rearing age is having 1.9 babies on average when our replacement rate should be around 2.1, so we are actually below the replacement rate,” Tufton said. “When you look at migration, plus the low birth rate, then it clearly points in the direction stated by our lead epidemiologist, Dr Webster Kerr, that the population has actually plateaued in Jamaica and is about to decline. That has all sorts of socio-economic implications, and it is something that there will need to be a deeper discussion around in terms of planning policies and things like the labour market and so on,” the minister said. He endorsed the partnership between the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and Victoria Jubilee Hospital that made the renovation of the breastfeeding room possible, as it will facilitate mothers who give birth to premature babies. Underscoring the need for a proper and comfortable breastfeeding room, Tufton said that about 12 per cent of babies are born before 37 weeks and require special care. A full term pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks. “There is a need for special attention to premature deliveries. About 40 to 50 per cent [of the 12 per cent] need very special care, which is why the facility you are putting in place comes in very handily. The capacity of the facility always can do with improvements because it is constantly used and, therefore, the ongoing relationship is important. This contribution here, as I understand it, will see a significant improvement not just in the look, feel, and comfort level but also in terms of equipment and some of the critical things that are needed like warmers, monitors, and infusion pumps. For all these reasons I think this effort should be applauded,” said Tufton. “Premature births, more often than not, are not something you can avoid. We are reforming primary health care beyond hospital care. Part of that reform is greater support in communities around care for mothers and their young ones even before they give birth. There is a comprehensive proposal that will show itself in full form in time around how that is going to be done with the redesignation of our primary health-care facilities,” added Tufton. Sophia Bernard-Fairman, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, said the main aim of of the club is to serve children. “What better partnership could we do than to work with Jubilee and partner on this very special project. The nursery is home for premature babies. When they are born and they need some extra care before they are handed over to their mothers, they stay at the nursery. They have a number of needs, so refurbishing entailed just a whole nicer environment. When you are breastfeeding, you want a nice and comfortable environment, so we donated two recliners, a mural on the wall, and amenities that the mothers could really have to their benefit in the nursery. We really encourage breastfeeding because it is such an important part of a baby’s health,” said Bernard-Fairma.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP)— France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday that a report claiming captain Kylian Mbappe was being investigated for rape in Sweden “is not a good thing for the national team”. “Everyone is free to write what they want but there is a negative atmosphere” around the French team, Deschamps told reporters following the 2-1 win in Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. His comments came in response to questions about Mbappe, the France skipper who was allowed to sit out the team’s games this month in order to work on his fitness. That was already a source of controversy in the build-up to last Thursday’s win against Israel, before a newspaper in Sweden on Monday claimed that the Real Madrid striker was being investigated for rape following a visit to Stockholm. After Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported that an alleged rape had been reported to police but did not say who was accused, another publication, Expressen, said 25-year-old Mbappe was the suspect. “Be careful when you pick things up,” Deschamps warned. “You had better take a bit of a step back before publishing anything and everything, but these things happen so often,” he said, appearing to cast doubt on the report. “There are things that are not difficult to verify, but if you credit any old thing… “In any case I am not going to talk to him about it. He is big enough to know how to communicate.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz booked a spot in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League on Monday with a dull 0-0 draw against Honduras at the National Stadium in Kingston that was enough to make them top Group B in League A. Jamaica, who won their last two games after an opening draw against Cuba, ended the round on eight points and will advance to the next round set for November. Honduras were second on seven points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago on five points and Nicaragua on four, rounding out the top four. The game was played at a pedestrian pace for most of the game, except late in the second half when substitutes Renaldo Cephas and Kaheim Dixon were introduced. Once again goalkeeper Andre Blake was equal to whatever the opposition were able to offer and he made a few good stops, mostly in the second half. -Paul A Reid

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to take immediate action against what it says are dangerous and escalating attacks on the media by his party member, Everald Warmington. During a recent speech at the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Area Council Two conference, Warmington once again targeted the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, vowing to intensify his campaign against the group despite mounting criticism. In a statement early Tuesday, the PNP said this inflammatory rhetoric threatens the safety of journalists and undermines Jamaica’s democratic values. Noting Warmington’s history of abusive behaviour towards the media including making obscene gestures, using expletives, and disrespecting journalists during interviews, the Opposition PNP said Holness has not held him accountable, which it said raises serious concerns about the prime minister’s commitment to press freedom. “While Prime Minister Holness has publicly supported press freedom, his failure to condemn Mr Warmington’s behaviour is deeply concerning. Warmington’s claims to secure a third JLP term ‘by any means necessary’ reflects an alarming departure from responsible political discourse. His personal attacks on journalists cross a line, endangering press safety and integrity,” the PNP said. The party further noted a statement from Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon at a post-cabinet briefing last week underscoring the importance of not attacking the media. “Even if it’s a hard question, they are doing their job,” Dr Dixon had said. However, the PNP said despite her comments, no condemnation of Warmington’s actions have been issued, leaving a glaring inconsistency. The PNP said it remains committed to supporting press freedom and upholding democratic values, and urged the Press Association of Jamaica to foster a national dialogue promoting respect between political actors and the media.

Vaz urges PM to take to the streets now to ensure JLP third term MEMBER of Parliament for Portland Western Daryl Vaz has urged Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Prime Minister Andrew Holness to hit the campaign trial now to pave the way for the party to win a third-consecutive term in Government. “Put on yuh Clarks and come out of yuh office. Give the responsibilities to whoever you want to give and touch the road, because [People’s National Party (PNP) President] Mark Golding can’t match you if you touch the road,” Vaz said to loud cheers from JLP supporters at a St Catherine South Eastern constituency conference at Portmore HEART Academy on Sunday. “My advice to my colleagues, but most importantly my advice to my prime minister: We have been in Government for eight years, we have done well, we have one year, and this year — despite the amount of work that we have done to change the lives of the people — if you want the third term…the only thing that you have left to do is clear your diary, put a team that can run the Government, and go back on the road, which is where you went in 2016,” added Vaz. He argued that once Holness returns to the streets and “press some flesh and touch the people, it is all over”. While describing himself as one of the best political strategists in the Caribbean, Vaz, who is also the minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, indicated that he is prepared to walk away from the Cabinet to hit the campaign trail for the general election due by September 2025. Member of Parliament for Portland Western Daryl Vaz addressing the Jamaica Labour Party’s St Catherine South Eastern constituency conference at Portmore HEART Academy on Sunday. “Prime Minister… I know that me and you never start on the same side of the road but now I can tell you that I am so committed to you to make sure that you finish the journey and put this country finally on the road to prosperity so that no one can interrupt… I am going to ask you for a leave of absence from the Cabinet to make sure I deliver to you the third term,” declared Vaz. The political veteran said he is concerned because some of the actions he has seen from the PNP in recent times are ugly, frightening, and show a party prepared to do anything in the interest of getting State power. “I am watching carefully what has been transpiring in the politics of Jamaica over the last few months. I am very despondent, because we should be going in the opposite direction. We are going back to where we [are] coming from in the ’70s, when we have fought to change that and to put us on a trajectory of a new political dynamic,” said Vaz. He pointed out to the Labourities that he has contested six elections, starting in 1986 when he ran in a local government election in what was then the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation. According to Vaz, since that time he has been targeted with lies and innuendos. “There is nothing that they have not said about me, there is nothing that they have not tried to do to me, and I want to say to my prime minister today: Who God bless, no man curse.” Vaz told the crowd that this Government, under the leadership of Holness, is without question the “best Government that this country has seen in history”. He said that in the last eight years the JLP has turned the country around economically and socially, but it needs good political organisation and good political management to remain in Government. “No matter how well we do in Government, if we don’t put in place policies to protect the vulnerable Jamaicans — which are the majority of Jamaicans — we have a problem,” he said. “Prime Minister, I have some very simple advice, and let me qualify it by saying I have no ambitions. My only ambition at 60 years of age, and in the departure lounge… is to make sure that Andrew Holness gets a third term in the interest of this country,” said Vaz as he urged Labourities not to get caught in the political strategy that is now being played by their detractors. “The strategy that is being played is a distraction, it is to take us away from the good that we are doing and get us into petty arguments about all sorts of things which mean nothing to the bigger picture,” said Vaz as he urged Labourities to avoid the ‘cass-cass’ and the cursing of the media.

Sykes says Court Admin not to blame for shoddy buildings RUNAWAY BAY, St Ann — Chief Justice Bryan Sykes has rejected suggestions that the Court Administration Division (CAD) is to be blamed for the shoddy state of the country’s courthouses. “In 2016 the CAD was placed on a statutory footing under the chief justice and, even with that, capital expenditure was — and still is — the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice,” Sykes said Monday morning at Jewel Paradise Cove in Runaway Bay, St Ann. He was speaking during a Judiciary of Jamaica press briefing called to provide what was described as “critical updates on the current state of the courts across Jamaica”. The briefing came after Justice Minister Delroy Chuck intimated, during a recent discussion on Radio Jamaica’s current affairs evening show Beyond the Headlines, that the CAD had dropped the ball where maintenance of buildings was concerned. Chuck also claimed during the discussion that he was unaware of the state of the widespread problems at the country’s courthouses. Established by the Ministry of Justice in August 2009, the CAD’s responsibilities include property management and maintenance. On Monday, Sykes acknowledged this role, but stressed that any criticism of CAD’s stewardship must include placing all the facts on the table. “Perspective and accuracy are important, because the impression has been created that the courts were well-maintained institutions and have gone into decline since the Court Administration Division came into existence and has responsibility for the maintenance of the court. That is simply inaccurate,” said the chief justice. He pointed out that there are well-documented reports on shortcomings within the system. “Look at the Vision 2030 document and you will see the executives describing the courts as inadequate, old, and dilapidated. We are not talking about simple maintenance in terms of broken toilet, light bulbs or painting of walls, we are talking about significant infrastructure work that needs to be done,” said Sykes. He made it clear that he was not ascribing blame, but merely setting the record straight. “It is not about pointing fingers; it’s about ensuring that there is accurate and reliable information presented to the public so they can form an informed opinion,” said Sykes. The chief justice lauded court staff who have had to endure substandard conditions. “They are not being placed in a position to give of their best. They are in cramped spaces, making it uncomfortable for them but we thank them for the perseverance that they are showing. Especially staff at the parish court, they have done extraordinarily well under difficult circumstances,” he said. “They deserve to use good buildings, it is not like you are providing them with a luxury,” he added. During an interview with the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of Monday’s media briefing, CAD Chief Executive Officer Tricia Cameron-Anglin said it has been a challenge keeping staff motivated enough to work despite their surroundings. “The conditions have been like this for a while, but our chief justice said, let’s do what we can with what we have. So we have asked the staff to work and dream with us, and we have kept it very real with them,” she said. “We communicate a lot and bring our executive team across the island into multiple sessions to help drive home the fact that we are in this together. People really just want to know that we are listening and we also give practical solutions,” Cameron-Anglin added. She acknowledged work done by the justice ministry but said it needs to do more. “The work that needs to be done requires collaborative leadership and effort because of how sustained they are. As soon as something is fixed here another issue arises in the same building which is linked to a deeper issue and is way more than our budget can fix,” she said. The chief justice, in his address, had pointed to the need to address shortcomings at the courthouse in Half-Way-Tree where, he said, the building simply does not have the capacity needed. “The Ministry of Justice should be making provisions to construct new buildings, designed solely for the purpose of court proceedings and to comfortably accommodate judiciary staff,” he said. Sykes also spoke of the urgent need to repair shoddy structures. “With the exception of the courthouse in Clarendon [and] St Thomas, which are soon to be fully renovated, and the newly built Family Court in St Ann’s Bay, all other buildings on the island that are used as a courthouse need to be refurbished or relocated into their own space,” the chief justice argued. “The courthouse in St Ann’s Bay, there is no space for it to expand, because the building is being shared with the municipal corporation and it is their building. In Trelawny, the roof of the main court caved in many years ago; Trelawny needs a new court — not just maintenance,” Sykes stated. He said revenue generated by the court system is not enough to fix long-standing issues and urged the Ministry of Justice to play its part. “Portland has a long outstanding sewage problem; that is not regular maintenance, it requires significant capital expenditure. St Mary has an electrical problem. I was there doing Circuit Court and the air-conditioning units couldn’t be switched on because the carrying capacity of the wiring system couldn’t manage and there is the inherent risk of a fire; regular maintenance cannot fix that,” Sykes said. The chief justice suggested that an approach used in other jurisdictions may be the answer to the challenges being faced locally. “The solution is to do what has happened in Guyana or Kenya; and that is, the judiciary prepares its budget and then allocations come directly from Parliament. In Guyana they buy their own land and build their own courts, they are in the business of buying and developing courts infrastructure,” he said. “The chief justice in Kenya is obliged to give an annual report of their work and what they have done with the money. The point

DUNCANS, Trelawny — Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett anticip ates that expansion of Montego Bay’s elegant corridor to the Trelawny/St Ann border, coupled with promised hotel investments, will transform Trelawny into a major player in the country’s tourism sector. “We are going to extend the elegant corridor from [the] Montego Bay airport all the way to the border of Trelawny, because [Prime Minister] Andrew Michael Holness has now finished negotiating a highway expansion plan and programme to give you four lanes. Not no little one-way something — [a] four-way from Sea Castle in my [St James East Central] constituency, all the way to the border of Rio Bueno, to the Queen’s Highway,” Bartlett said. His comments came from the political stage Sunday night during the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP’s) Duncans divisional conference held at the community’s primary school. Bartlett also spoke of advanced plans for expansion of the now-closed Braco Hotel which is located on the proposed Trelawny corridor. The 232-room hotel is owned by the National Insurance Fund (NIF), for which it once generated income. Its doors were shuttered after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country’s tourism sector and they have not reopened since. “We are in closing discussions to transform Braco Hotel. An international partner is now in discussion for us to have 600 more rooms there and to make that into a first class hotel in Jamaica,” Bartlett revealed. He also told the sea of green-clad Labour Party supporters that, after the project languished for two decades, ground is to be broken later this year for the US$1.4-billion Harmony Cove project. He said construction will start next year on the 1,000-room property. “It will employ over 5,000 people, and already the partners who are working with the Government of Jamaica are here discussing with [the] MP [Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern Tova Hamilton], discussing with the minister, discussing with the mayor, discussing with us how the development [can] happen for the people of Trelawny,” said a pumped-up Bartlett. He explained that because the multimillion-dollar development will include a casino hotel, efforts are being made to develop a training programme for staff “to make sure you know how to deal with casino centres”. “That’s a new dimension to our tourism — Las Vegas coming to Harmony Cove — but the important thing is that we are going to be training you to be able to manage this aspect of tourism,” Bartlett stated. The Harmony Cove project has been a long time coming. In an update earlier this year, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service put investment capital and start-up costs at US$1 billion for the project being jointly undertaken by the Government-owned Harmonisation Limited and Tavistock Group. The release also stressed that the agreement between the parties now includes a defined timeline, with development milestones. “Tavistock Group and Harmonisation Limited will begin work immediately through Harmony Cove Limited — with the appointment of leading global, architectural, engineering, and construction management firms to finalise and implement the agreed development plan,” the finance ministry said then. During his comments from the political platform on Sunday, Bartlett also reminded Trelawny residents that a 700-room Planet Hollywood hotel is also planned for the parish, “beside Royalton Blue Waters”. MP Hamilton is preparing for a showdown with the People’s National Party’s Dr Wykeham McNeill, a former tourism minister, in the next general election. Bartlett took a swipe at the PNP’s representative. “All the people who want to come back again, tell them them irrelevant. We done with them, because Tova is now fully in charge and she is going to carry the development home,” he said.

Rising sensation Walters urges self-belief from Sunshine Girls ahead of World Series As Jamaica’s senior Sunshine Girls gear up for the 2024 Fast5 Netball World Series, debutant Cornilia Walters emphasises the need for consistency and self-belief if they are to claim the title. Jamaica’s team, said to be the most inexperienced in the competition, will rely heavily on these qualities, according to Walters. “Consistency and self-belief will be key to our performance. Our girls are talented, and we’ve worked tirelessly, motivating each other to excel,” Walters told with the Jamaica Observer. “At the level that we’re at, I think [some of the things] we need going in the tournament are consistency and self-belief because we are the most inexperienced team going out there. So I think self-belief and consistency are what we need at this moment,” the 20-year-old Walters added. The Fast5 Netball World Series is to take place from November 9-10 at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena in New Zealand. 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; the remaining teams contest the third- and fifth-place play-offs. “Fast5 is a lot more technical than the regular netball. I mean, it’s only five players on the court at a time and it has a lot of technical rules. I mean, but it’s just for us to go out there and use our heads like, think through the game. “I think that is one of the most crucial things that we need going into the Fast5 tournament, especially because it’s like, for most of us, this is our first time playing this format. So I think we just go out there and use our, just use our head and we’ll be fine,” Walters said. Walters, who plays both centre and goal defence, said that the team’s main goal for the Fast5 tournament is to win a medal, aiming for first place. She believes the team is talented and has been working hard, with dedication and motivation being key factors. “I am looking forward to medalling. That is what I’m looking forward to the most. I mean, I know a couple years back we have not medalled. We have not hit a podium at the Fast5 level. But I mean, this year our main goal is to come back home with a medal, even the first place. I mean, anything is possible,” the former St Hugh’s High School graduate said. Walters acknowledged that participating in the tournament will be nerve-wracking as it’s her first international experience. She is confident in her abilities and is looking forward to the challenge. She also recognised the importance of confidence and is working on building it. “I mean, I know it’s going to be a little bit nerve-wracking because this is going to be my first time on an international stage. But, I mean, I’m feeling good. I mean, I’m competing against the best of the best, so to speak. I’m feeling good. But I think the only thing that’s left for me to work on is my confidence. And yes, I’ll be totally fine. “I mean, it’s always a wonderful feeling. This is a big accomplishment for me, especially because I’m so young. And I mean, I’m just here to have fun and, you know, go to the experience and represent well,” Walters said. Walters has been playing netball since primary school and has represented her schools and college. She attributed her success to hard work and dedication. “Growing up I always saw my mother and my sister playing netball. The crazy thing is, at first it wasn’t my thing because I couldn’t play. After getting a little bit older, I think netball came naturally to me in primary school [August Town Primary School]. I transitioned to high school [St Hugh’s], and then I represent University of the West Indies (UWI) in my first year. “Ever since I had joined the programme, it has been hard work. I mean, I’m coming from the under-21 level where I was training with the girls and then I transitioned it to the ‘A’ squad. Training has been intense straight through. I mean, my skills have developed a lot. And the programme is really good. 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. Jamaica’s Romelda Aiken-George (left) tries to block a shot from a New Zealand player (right) during a Fast5 Series match at Christchurch Arena in New Zealand in 2023. Jamaica’s Kimone Shaw looks on. Cornilia Walters (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — A 26-year-old Briton has died after he fell from a bridge in Spain when he climbed it to make content for social media, authorities said on Monday. The unidentified man was with another Briton, aged 24, when he plunged to his death on Sunday morning from the cable-stayed bridge in Talavera de la Reina, 110 kilometres (70 miles) southwest of Madrid, the city council said. “As far as we have been able to learn, they had come to Talavera to climb the bridge and create content for social networks, which has resulted in this disastrous and sad outcome,” Talavera city councillor for public security Macarena Munoz said. Spanish media said it had rained heavily in Talavera before the accident, which may have caused the bridge to be slippery. With its 152 wire ropes and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, the bridge has long drawn daredevils and social media creators, who climb it despite this being banned. “We have reiterated on many occasions that it cannot be done under any circumstances,” said Munoz.

LUXEMBOURG (AFP) — The EU imposed sanctions on Monday on prominent Iranian officials and entities, including airlines, accused of taking part in the transfer of missiles and drones for Russia to use against Ukraine. European Union foreign ministers approved the sanctions on seven entities, including Iran Air, and seven individuals, including deputy defence minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari and senior officials of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, the bloc said. Leading European powers Britain, France and Germany adopted similar sanctions last month over Iranian missile transfers to Russia, as did the United States. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the adoption of the sanctions by the entire bloc, while adding: “More is needed.” “The Iranian regime’s support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable and must stop,” she posted on X. Two other Iranian airlines, Saha Airlines and Mahan Air, were hit under the EU measures, along with two procurement firms blamed for the “transfer and supply, through transnational procurement networks, of Iran-made UAVs and related components and technologies to Russia”. The sanctions also target two companies involved in the production of propellant used to launch rockets and missiles. Those targeted are subject to an asset freeze and banned from travelling to the European Union. Iran rejects Western accusations it has transferred missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, dozens of Russian military personnel have received training in Iran on using the Fath-360 missile, which has a range of 120 kilometres (75 miles).

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — India criticised Canada on Monday saying Ottawa was investigating its ambassador and other diplomats as “persons of interest”, after the killing last year of a Sikh separatist leader. The 2023 murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar crashed diplomatic relations with India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” linking Indian intelligence to the crime. India’s foreign ministry said in a statement it had “received a diplomatic communication from Canada suggesting that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are persons of interest” in the ongoing investigation. Nijjar — who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became a citizen in 2015 — had advocated for a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, carved out of India. He had been wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. Four Indian nationals have been arrested in connection with Nijjar’s murder, which took place in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in Vancouver in June 2023. India on Monday called allegations it was connected to the killing as “preposterous” and a “strategy of smearing India for political gains”. Last year it briefly curbed visas for Canadians and forced Ottawa to withdraw diplomats, and on Monday threatened further action. “India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats,” the foreign ministry said. Canada is home to some 770,000 Sikhs, who make up about two percent of the country’s population, with a vocal minority calling for an independent state of Khalistan. In November 2023, the US Justice Department also charged an Indian citizen living in the Czech Republic with allegedly plotting a similar assassination attempt on US soil. Prosecutors said in unsealed court documents that an Indian government official was also involved in the planning.

DRAX HALL in St Ann has seen major infrastructural developments in the past couple of years and is well on its way to be identified as the parish’s major commercial hub. The transformation and growth, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is due to efforts being made by his Administration to boost the country’s economic sector. Holness was speaking at the official opening ceremony of Courts Jamaica’s Drax Hall location last Thursday. Courts, owned by the Unicomer Group, is the Caribbean’s largest furniture, appliance and electrical retailer. “This Administration is aspirational, and we are not ashamed to say we want to lift people out of poverty to achieve their aspirations. We want people to ‘set up inna life’, but we have to understand that those aspirations cannot be fulfilled without a solid economy,” he said The prime minister noted that there have been significant changes in the rate of unemployment — and foreign direct investors such as the Unicomer Group have contributed significantly. “Ten years ago we had 10 per cent unemployment but the last survey puts us at 4.2 per cent, so Jamaica is at what is called full employment. Several billion dollars of investments have been made in this area — and just look at how many jobs are here now!” he said Lauding Unciomer’s interest in Jamaica as an exemplary move, the prime minister added that other foreign direct investors will see if fit to also pump their money into Jamaica’s economy. “There are 100 other locations that Unicomer could go but they chose Jamaica, and with investments like these we are pulling in more people to the economy. “Unicomer Group is a major contributor to the FDI [foreign direct investment] of Jamaica, and its decision to expand by establishing this beautiful new store in Drax Hall is a signal to the vast opportunities of investors, entrepreneurs, and the people of this region,” said Holness. Courts’s Drax Hall location is the first branch to be equipped with an escalator — a feature which most shoppers and employees are excited about. Caribbean managing director, Unicomer Group, Felix Siman said during his presentation at the opening ceremony that his establishment is committed to enhancing the Jamaican economy through investments. “We don’t make sales or transactions; we make relationships with our clients, and the relationships that we have created over the last 65 years have enabled us to grow with our customers and expand on our product and services. It is really the vibrant Jamaican community that has helped us to propel this market, and we are committed to expand[ing] our operations here and support[ing] the Jamaican economy,” said Siman. In the meantime, Holness said the rapid development in Drax Hall speaks to the versatility of the parish and the potential of the country. “St Ann is know for tourism and is now showing another dimension of the richness of the parish, now developing a commercial hub. So then, the point must be made that the Jamaican economy can be much more than tourism,” he said. Caribbean managing director, Unicomer Group, Felix Siman addressing the store’s official opening. Inside view of the newly opened Courts Drax Hall location Customers enter the Courts Drax Hall store. (Photo: Akera Davis)

FROM choosing to delay childbirth, opting to remain child-free, or grappling with infertility, women’s experiences with fertility and family planning are deeply diverse. The issue of reproduction has been much discussed lately, with news that Jamaica’s total fertility rate has declined from 4.5 births per female between 1973 and 1975, to 1.9 in 2021, contributing to a decrease in the country’s population estimate, prompting official discourse on how this will negatively affect future generations, and the economy. For the most part, women have been insisting that it is their right to navigate these choices and challenges, as part of the greater “our bodies, our choice” discourse. Here, some women at the various stages talk about why they made the decisions they did. Women who choose to have children later in life Many women today are choosing to have children later in life due to factors such as career aspirations, personal development, and the desire for financial stability. This trend is supported by advancements in fertility treatments, which give women the option to conceive later. “I had my first child in my early 20s, and being a single mother and struggling, not only financially, but just to raise a child on my own, made me determined to have more stability when I chose to have more children,” said Stacy-Ann Levy, 46. She said when she got married at 35, she and her husband started trying immediately, but it wasn’t until age 40, with the help of fertility drugs, that she had her second baby. “Now I’m going through all the emotions all over again,” she said. “It’s hard, but again it’s so much easier having the support and seeing how much more fulfilling it is having a child in a two-parent household.” Medical professionals say there are unique challenges to this arrangement, including an increased risk of complications like miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, and higher rates of caesarean sections. “Older mothers may experience conditions like gestational diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy,” said nurse practitioner Angie Dennis. “But if you plan to delay childbirth, new advancements in medicine are fully at your disposal to help you.” Women who are child-free by choice Many women prioritise personal freedom, career, travel, relationships, or other pursuits over parenthood. This decision can be empowering, but also comes with societal pressures. “I’ve never wanted children, ever, and took every precaution against this,” said Siddonie Hall, 36. “I even asked my doctor at one point for a tubal ligation, and he refused, and now I’m on the IUD, which was another challenge even for him to consider.” She insists that she just doesn’t see children as a part of her life, as some women are just not made to be mothers. Mental health counsellor Angela Dacres said some women who are child-free by choice face judgement or expectations from family, friends, and society to follow a traditional path of motherhood, but these viewpoints have to change. “They may encounter intrusive questions or assumptions that they will change their mind in the future,” she said. “But the women who are truly insistent, won’t do this, and it’s time more people respected this choice.” She said as discussions around bodily autonomy and diverse life goals become more mainstream, the child-free choice is increasingly respected. “The decision is freeing and allows these women to pursue careers, hobbies, and personal development without the responsibilities of parenthood,” Dacres said.   Women facing infertility Infertility is a significant challenge for many women, affecting approximately 10-15 per cent of couples. The journey can be emotionally taxing and filled with uncertainties. “For us, we went through years of trying everything, and were not successful,” said Eva Reid, 50. “I just thought it would naturally happen once we started trying, but it never did. Tests later showed that I had endometriosis, and we tried some medical intervention for a while, but it was both expensive and hard on my body, so one day my husband just suggested that we stop.” She said instead of focusing on having biological children, she and her husband decided to foster, then adopt, and are now parents to two adopted children. “Women facing infertility often experience a wide range of emotions, including grief, frustration, and isolation,” said Dacres. “ The societal expectation to conceive can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and sadness.” Counsellor David Anderson said it’s largely outdated cultural norms and societal expectations that significantly shape women’s family planning experiences — in many cultures, there is immense pressure for women to marry and have children, which can lead to internal and external conflict for those who choose different paths. “As discussions around women’s rights become more common, there is a growing acceptance of various reproductive choices, thankfully reducing the stigma associated with being child-free or delaying motherhood,” he said. Overall, he said, in this new age, understanding and respecting women’s experiences and choices about their reproductive health and family planning journeys, as well as promoting awareness and having open dialogue will help women on the various paths they choose to take in their pursuit of motherhood, or even those who find fulfillment without children.

ALTHOUGH needing just a point to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren says winning in front of the home support is the main objective as they take on Honduras at the National Stadium this evening, starting at 8:00 pm. The Jamaicans have been unbeaten since the start of the competition, with two wins and a draw which see them leading Group B on seven points, ahead of their opponents Honduras who sit second on six. The top two from the group will advance to the last eight, but while top spot will be on the line the national senior men’s team need to avoid defeat as third-place Nicaragua, who are on four points, can overtake them with a win against French Guiana. McClaren says victory is a must for the team as they seek to avoid potential drama. “We started [the group] with a disappointing draw — which we should have won — but we’ve put ourselves in a position to finish top of the group so, finish the job. That’s what we say. [During] the last five minutes, if you’re 1-0 up, 2-1 up, finish the job — that’s the message to the players,” he said. “To finish the job, we need to win the game. That’s the most important [thing]. You’re playing at home, playing in front of your supporters, so you’re playing for them. Not to entertain but to perform, have a good game, win and, as I said, finish the job.” Last month, the Boyz secured a 2-1 win away against the Hondurans, extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches against the Central American side since 2017. Forward Demarai Gray’s first goal on Jamaican soil was against Honduras in a 1-0 win in September 2023. He believes the team can continue their run but aren’t underestimating their opponents. “I think [during the] the last camp [when] we played them was very difficult. They have a lot of quality and they’re quite free in the way they play — they’re not a team where you can say they’re going to do this and that. They’re a physical team as well, so I think as a team we’re well aware of the threats they have and it’s for us to control and maintain. We’ll focus on what we need to do best; and I think once we do that, we should win the game,” reasoned Gray. After seeing over 17,000 fans at the National Stadium last month against Cuba, Gray says the home support will be vital to get the team over the line. “I think the stature of Jamaica itself, the Jamaican culture all over the world is very popular; it’s an honour to represent the country and play. I’m always looking forward to the stadium being full and sold out one day — and that’s [the same desire] for many of us. Having that atmosphere and the 12th man is massively important, and I’ve played football long enough to know how much it can intimidate teams as well. Plus, with the quality we have, teams are intimidated already so with the fans it’s just an extra bonus for us.” Although being out-possessed in their last two encounters, including against Honduras, McClaren says he wants his team to show more courage as he continues to implement his style of play. “The first message from day one was: ‘Be brave — take the ball and deal with the ball. And that is still the message now, and I’ve been impressed. We’ve made mistakes, we’ve had errors, we don’t do it very well sometimes, but we’re growing,” said McClaren. “We’re not there yet — honestly, we’re miles away — but I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made. We’re trying to keep it simple but trying to build something which, I think, with the quality of the team and the squad, can go to the next level. We’re not dominant [nor] comfortable at the present moment but the key thing is, we’re working hard.” In respect to team news, striker Michail Antonio and midfielder Kasey Palmer — who missed the Nicaragua game on Thursday — are expected to make a return after recovering from injury while Mount Pleasant Football Academy midfielder Jahshaun Anglin has been called up in place of Vice-Captain Damion Lowe who is suspended for the clash.   Squad Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite Defenders: Ethan Pinnock, Mason Holgate, Dexter Lembikisa, Jon Bell, Tayvon Gray, Richard King, Greg Leigh Midfielders: Bobby Reid, Kasey Palmer, Joel Latibeaudiere, Tyreek Magee, Karoy Anderson, Kevon Lambert, Jahshaun Anglin Forwards: Michail Antonio, Kaheim Dixon, Demarai Grey, Renaldo Cephas, Norman Campbell, Romario Williams MCCLAREN… to finish the job, we need to win the game. That’s the most important [thing]. You’re playing at home, playing in front of your supporters, so you’re playing for them (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

TWENTY-SIX months after its launch, Project STAR is celebrating notable progress in the five target communities where its social intervention programmes are transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods. Project STAR Director Saffrey Brown highlighted the exceptional level of community engagement as one of the initiative’s most significant achievements. She disclosed that across all five communities, over 3,500 residents have actively participated in shaping their community transformation action plans, as she emphasised the crucial role local input has played in driving the project’s success. “This level of engagement far exceeded initial targets, such as in Parade Gardens in downtown Kingston where 13 per cent of the population took part — surpassing the original five per cent goal. Rose Gardens saw an even greater turnout with 16 per cent participation. These impressive numbers underscore the success of Project STAR’s framework in igniting a sense of ownership among residents, making it a true community-led and community-owned initiative,” she said. Brown made the disclosure at a donors’ breakfast at S Hotel in Kingston, recently, during which an update on the project was given. She explained that Project STAR’s structured approach, particularly through the formation of community transformation boards, has allowed localised decision-making based on both qualitative and quantitative data. “This method ensures that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of each community, resulting in lasting changes. One of the key accomplishments has been the strengthening of relationships between communities and local law enforcement,” she said. She noted that residents and police officers have embraced a shared vision for community safety, leading to increased cooperation and trust — an often-elusive goal in violence-affected areas. Another area of success has been in promoting social cohesion through various community programmes. More than 6,000 residents, including a significant number of children, have benefited from Project STAR’s social cohesion programmes. “These programmes — which include sporting activities, cultural events, and peace-building initiatives — have been pivotal in fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration. The engagement of youth, particularly through sports, has been significant, with 62 per cent of participants in these activities under the age of 29 — a key high-risk group,” she said. Brown said that Project STAR’s efforts in family and child-based support have also been transformative. Recognising the critical need to break the cycle of violence, the project has implemented various initiatives aimed at creating safe and nurturing home environments. “Over 1,100 residents have benefited from programmes such as parenting groups and school-based support activities. These interventions have helped to improve academic outcomes and school enrolment rates, with projects like the homework programme in Parade Gardens leading the way,” she said. The initiative has also made strides in economic empowerment and has launched a number of business programmes from which 575 resident entrepreneurs and local businesses have benefited. “Project STAR’s Nano Entrepreneurship Programme has opened new opportunities for high-risk youth, providing them with the tools, seed funding, and support needed to create sustainable businesses,” said Brown. She stated that Project STAR’s holistic approach — which integrates social, economic, and family support — has brought renewed hope to under-resourced and vulnerable communities. “With the unwavering commitment of residents, community champions, and key partners, the initiative is proving that community-led change is not just possible but already happening,” she added. Project STAR is a five-year social and economic transformation project that targets under-resourced, underserved communities experiencing high levels of crime or violence. Through a comprehensive consultation process, communities assist in determining their own needs, which are further supported by extensive data and analysis.

…celebrates Cheerleader’s 10th anniversary with performances, talks new music Having taken a few years off from music to focus on business ventures and to raise his newborn son, singer Omi is gearing up to hit the road to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the remix of his breakthrough hit, Cheerleader. Cheerleader was first released in 2012 on a Ska rhythm and produced by Clifton “Specialist” Dillon and Sly and Robbie. The song first took off in Hawaii and it later caught the attention of Ultra Music, which commissioned a remix that took on another life of its own in Europe, topping charts in 20 countries, among them the United States and the United Kingdom. The Felix Jaehn remix was released in 2014. Omi is scheduled to perform on multiple shows in Japan starting this week, and will then embark on multiple dates in the United Kingdom and Europe. “I think that the 10-year anniversary tour is appropriate, because the song has been a monster hit, and it is still going strong. It is very difficult in the music business to have a song that has longevity now, because people’s attention span is so short. As well [with] me making my comeback to the business, being a little bit more present, you know… the fans wanted to see me for some time now,” Omi said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Saturday. The artiste said he is excited about the prospects of the upcoming shows in Japan. “At the peak of my career we did a few shows there, and also Japan is not a saturated market where live performances are concerned; it is somewhat uncharted territory. There is a fan base over there as well, so we’re looking to build on that. It will be a great feeling being back on the road.” He said his absence from the music industry was intentional. “I literally had taken a break to test the waters in other facets and abilities, like real estate and architectural design, interior decorating, these are just some of my passions. I also took the time off to spend time with my son, because I really value family. I had no regrets, I’m happy I did take the time off,” Omi shared. Asked if he had thought that Cheerleader would have become the monster hit that it became, Omi said: “No, not like I didn’t believe in myself or my song. [But] back in those times I was doing the music that I enjoyed; I didn’t have an audience, there was no sense of competitiveness, it was genuine love for music. When I met Specialist, and got his feedback from the song, that was like motivation for me to take it really seriously and said this is something I would a career out of.” At the time that he recorded Cheerleader, Omi was an officer in the police force. Quizzed on when it was that he realised that he had a monster hit on his hands, Omi told the Observer: “One of the high points for me was when I performed at the Summertime Ball in the UK with over 80,000 people in attendance all standing up singing the song. The response from fellow industry people like Taylor Swift [he was also invited to hang out with Swift on her private jet], and I also shared the stage with her. So many others that are undocumented where people would run into me on a one-on-one, people I’ve seen on TV and look up to. That was a wonderful feeling.” Following the success of Cheerleader, Omi’s début album Me 4 U was released and it contained the hits Hula Hoop and Drop in the Ocean. Me 4 U was certified gold in America for sales exceeding 500,000 units. Hula Hoop was the follow-up single to Cheerleader and, although it wasn’t a massive hit as its predecessor, it scaled several charts in Europe and was certified 2x platinum in Sweden and Canada, platinum in Denmark, and gold in Germany, Italy, Mexico and New Zealand. Omi also collaborated with British act The Vamps on the song I Found A Girl, which peaked at #30 in the UK and was certified silver there. Jambow with Takagi and Ketra and Giusy Ferarri was a #1 hit in Italy and was certified 4x platinum there. Poker Face is Omi’s new single which was recently released. The song was produced by Specialist in collaboration with Alistair McIntosh. “This song has been in the catalogue for some time and we just released a visualiser for it, and an official video is coming soon. It’s one of those songs that you feel is gonna do well with promotion behind it,” he said. Omi’s sophomore album is expected in early 2025. “We don’t have a title for it as yet, but the fans will be able to see a lot of growth in the music. This time I will be more involved, so you’ll hear a more organic Omi,” shared the 38-year-old artiste.

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (AFP) — Kamala Harris and rival Donald Trump were campaigning in battleground states Sunday, seeking 11th-hour advantages in a deadlocked White House race as new polling shows the vice-president underperforming among some traditional Democratic voter demographics. Harris was in North Carolina — a state hard-hit by a hurricane two weeks ago that devastated several communities and left more than 235 people dead across the US south-east — as she seeks to counter Trump’s claims that federal agencies have done little to help storm victims. “Moments of crisis, I believe, do have a way of revealing the heroes among us,” she said during a speech at a church in Greenville, a North Carolina city where African American students staged the historic 1960 sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in a fight for civil rights. Without naming the former president, Harris then called out those who had been “lying about people who are working hard to help folks in need, spreading disinformation”. Trump, who was holding a rally in Arizona later on Sunday, earlier used a Fox News interview to float the idea of using military force against Americans he described as “the enemy from within”. “We have some sick people, radical left lunatics,” he said without specifying whom he had in mind. “And it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military.” Federal law generally bars use of the military for civilian law enforcement, though there are exceptions. While Harris was campaigning in North Carolina, her boss, President Joe Biden, was in Florida assessing the damage from the more recent Hurricane Milton, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to rescue and recovery efforts. With just 23 days before the November 5 election, Republican candidate Trump and his running mate Senator JD Vance continue to thrust the federal disaster response squarely into the presidential race. Asked on ABC Sunday talk show This Week whether Trump has been accurate in describing the federal response as incompetent, Vance said, “it’s to suggest that Americans are feeling left behind by their Government, which they are”. Biden took an aerial tour of the devastation in Tampa Bay and nearby St Petersburg, and received a briefing of storm response efforts. While he described the impact as “cataclysmic” in some neighbourhoods, Biden said Florida is fortunate the damage is not worse. Recent polling shows Harris has so far failed to stanch the flow of Latinos from the Democratic fold toward Trump, even as he pushes his sharply anti-immigration message. Data from the latest The New York Times/Siena College poll show Harris underperforming, in comparison to other recent Democratic nominees, among likely Latino voters, currently earning just 56 per cent of the demographic compared to Trump’s 37 per cent — a margin of 19 points. Biden’s 2020 advantage among Latinos was 26 points, while Hillary Clinton’s was 39 points in 2016. And while Harris has large advantages with women, particularly women of colour, she is struggling to gain traction with black male voters, a growing number of whom are leaning toward the brash Republican. Polling shows Harris and Trump neck and neck, including in the seven swing states that are likely to determine the outcome of the election. An NBC News national poll released Sunday shows a 48-48 per cent tie. “As summer has turned to fall, any signs of momentum for Kamala Harris have stopped,” said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt who conducted the survey with a Republican pollster Bill McInturff. Speaking at a rally in Greenville later on Sunday, Harris accused Trump of “not being transparent with the voters”, pointing to his refusal to release his medical records, or sit down for an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes news programme. “It makes you wonder, why does his staff want him to hide away?” she said. “Are they afraid that people will see that he is too weak and unstable to lead America?” A Harris heavyweight surrogate, Democratic ex-president Bill Clinton, was also on the trail Sunday in battleground Georgia where he spoke at Mount Zion Baptist Church that is home to a historically black congregation. Both candidates hold campaign events in the biggest swing state prize of all, Pennsylvania, today (Monday). Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California, on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Cop says jealous man who burnt several houses being hidden by citizens THE man who burnt a number of houses in Bellrock, St Andrew, due to frustration caused by his girlfriend’s infidelity is still on the run from the police almost one month later. Commanding officer for the St Andrew South police, Superintendent Damion Manderson told the Jamaica Observer that despite numerous operations aimed at nabbing the culprit who is now wanted in two police divisions, cops have found it difficult to locate him. Manderson believes he is being protected by relatives and friends. The arsonist is wanted in the St Andrew South and St Andrew North police divisions. “We have done several operations in and outside of the division and other activities. We have not been able to locate him. Primarily, it is because there are people in our society who seem to get a kick from colluding with and shielding criminal elements. It is quite evident that this is a young man who has done atrocious acts in burning down an entire section of a community, sending threats to citizens and family members, and a host of other crimes,” Manderson said. The police superintendent said the man “is wanted for various offences and he is known within the communities that we have laid out in time past. Yet still, the level of cooperation and support to have people dialling our confidential lines — 911 and 311 — or reaching out to someone like a pastor, a lawyer, or a justice of the peace to have him brought in has not gone as we would have anticipated”. In spite of the challenges, Manderson told the Observer the police are confident they will have him in custody in due time. “We are confident that in due time we will have him in custody,” he said. The man in question got upset and set the house belonging to his girlfriend’s relatives on fire. The fire quickly spread to other dwellings nearby, eventually destroying them and displacing more than 30 people, including more than 10 children. Bellrock is located in the constituency of St Andrew West Central, which is represented by Prime Minister Andrew Holness who, in a visit to the area in the aftermath of the fire, said that the full extent of the law must be brought against the culprit. A few days after the news of his actions began to circulate on all media platforms the culprit phoned the Jamaica Observer and expressed his intention to give himself up to the police, but at the time said he was not ready to do so because he feared he would go mad in jail. He said he was beyond frustrated because he worked very hard to support his girlfriend and claimed she was not only cheating on him but was giving his hard-earned money to another man. “Me a try take these things off my mind before I bring myself in because I can’t go to jail with these things on my mind; I will go mad. When you are with somebody for long it is hard to just walk away. Every day I warned the girl, and I catch her doing what she is not supposed to do. I told her to stop doing what she was doing because she is going to make the devil come out of me. I warned her, and every time she said she was not doing nothing. A long time she a do this, enuh. It kinda hurt, because I go out there to look my own to come and give her. “If she even have sex alone [with the other man] it wouldn’t burn me so; I know it’s my money she tek and give to boy. Dat lick up mi head and mi get dark like mi nuh have no sense. Dem thing deh hurtful. Jah know star, a just because mi get ignorant. When things hurt me a certain way I just get dark to a point where I don’t want to hear anything and I just do what I have to do. I have been warning this girl. I give her a lot of chances and let her know that nobody is perfect,” he said.

Cabbie with three warrants, 170 outstanding traffic tickets held by police Ataxi operator with three warrants and more than 170 outstanding traffic tickets, who was captured on a viral video last week committing yet another traffic violation, has been nabbed by the police. Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) Gary McKenzie told the Jamaica Observer on Friday that the taxi man, 23-year-old Jervae Slowly, was seen via the dashcam of another motorist travelling along Molynes Road on the wrong side of the road “driving quite carelessly”. The video seen by the Observer showed the dashcam of a vehicle in the left lane which had stopped to allow an individual to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing. Shortly after the person made it over to the sidewalk and the vehicle began to move again, the taxi being driven by Slowly was seen overtaking a line of traffic and ended up directly in the path of a vehicle as he attempted to get ahead of four vehicles which were in front of him. In the video Slowly could be seen ‘fanning off’ the driver who had stopped when the taxi started to barrel towards it. The taxi man eventually made his way around the vehicle it had blocked by driving onto the sidewalk. In that same video, a Coaster bus was also seen overtaking the line of traffic around a corner, with another taxi following close behind. The vehicle with the dashcam stopped, which the Coaster bus went around on the right side, while at the same time another Coaster bus undertook the vehicle on the left by driving onto the sidewalk, while the other taxi rejoined the traffic. ACP McKenzie lamented that “these kinds of driving are really very careless and dangerous, and it is impeding traffic and causing a lot of congestion.” He noted, however, that the traffic police have been doing a lot of work in terms of executing warrants and arresting unruly motorists. “The fact that someone can have 179 outstanding tickets really means that the police are prosecuting these people,” he said, in reference to Slowly. The traffic top cop, in explaining how one motorist could still be operating a vehicle after amassing so many traffic tickets, noted that some of these outstanding matters are still being dealt with by the courts. “There are other instances where, [for] some of the matters, persons are bound over and so on; and there are some that he may not have attended court but the warrants are just not yet issued,” he said. The three warrants for Slowly’s arrest relate to: no public passenger vehicle badge; careless driving where no collision occurs; and failing to comply with traffic signs. Last month, ACP McKenzie had told the Observer that the police were “actively searching” for more than 100 motorists for whom the court had issued warrants for their arrest for breaches of the Road Traffic Act. Under a new Traffic Thursdays initiative the PSTEB has been publishing the names of motorists, including some with up to five warrants, and urging them to immediately turn themselves in to the office of PSTEB at 16 ½ Lower Elletson Road, Kingston 16. “The police are actively searching for the persons [for whom warrants are out], and individuals who turn themselves in will be formally arrested and taken to court,” McKenzie told the Observer then. He said that PSTEB had taken to routinely publishing the names via social media and has been reaping success. McKenzie noted that some motorists, as a result of the social media posts, have turned in themselves. “The JCF is doing its best to aid the public as it relates to informing them, or informing persons that it may affect, that there are warrants out for their arrest for road traffic breaches. Slowly’s name was not among the 120 names published on the list. PSTEB is urging anyone knowing the whereabouts of the motorists named to make contact with the police or give information by calling 876-349-9366.