FALMOUTH, Trelawny — In an apparent response to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ’s) proposal for the creation of a single, extended weekend holiday period for Emancipation and Independence celebrations, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes underscored that the celebration of freedom is priceless. “I would want to think that there are some things in our nation’s history that really cannot carry a price tag, and freedom and celebration of freedom is one of them,” Sykes said. In presenting its case for a protracted weekend, the PSOJ argued “that having two major holidays in such close proximity often results in extended periods of reduced productivity, as many workers and businesses tend to bridge the gap between these dates with additional time off”. “This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as a holiday hangover, can disrupt economic momentum, particularly in key sectors such as manufacturing, tourism and agriculture,” the PSOJ said. But Sykes stressed that the significance of freedom of African slaves on August 1, 1834, now celebrated yearly as Emancipation Day on August 1, was the forerunner to the August 6, 1962 Independence, which is celebrated as Independence Day on August 6. “So the journey to being here did not commence on August 6, 1962, it was made accelerated. So without August 1, [1834] none of what we are doing here would quite likely be possible,” Sykes argued. “It is not about, or solely about an organised weekend-long celebration that could attract tourists to participate in cultural events, concerts and festivals, whereby boosting revenue across various sectors. I would have thought that the emancipation of enslaved persons of African descent, which was, in our case, the antecedent to independence, would warrant more analysis than to be described as a mere five days, encapsulating — I put in that word — Jamaica’s journey from abolition of slavery to the achievement of self-governance,” he added. He was on yesterday at the historic William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church in Falmouth, Trelawny, during the annual Assize Church Service to mark the Michaelmas term of the Trelawny Circuit Court. The PSOJ argued that the proposal to minimise the impact of public holidays on productivity by clustering holidays and encouraging the observance of key cultural events over weekends was inspired from successful models from other countries, including Singapore. But Sykes pointed out that Singapore is a different matter from Jamaica. “It is interesting to have a look at what is happening in Singapore. When you look at the history there, one of the interesting thing that you will find in the Emancipation Act is that Section 64 [of] the statute stated expressly that it did not apply to territories in the possession of the East India companies. And Singapore was one of the territories of the East India Company. And, not surprisingly, because they did not come to the colonial experience that we did, entirely different circumstances!” Sykes pointed out. He added that for people in Jamaica, the Emancipation Act was perhaps one of the first significant legislations that removed black Africans from property to person. “Even then, it was in a truncated manner because there was a period of apprenticeship and provision was made for the slave masters in Section 24,” he added. Meanwhile, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte, in bringing greetings, charged the legal fraternity and others to do their part in the nation’s journey on the road to a republic State.

Twin brothers driving separate bikes after nine-night collide, die BARRETT TOWN, St James — In a case of together at birth, together in death, residents here have been left puzzled following the passing of twin brothers in what they are describing as a bizarre collision while driving separate motorcycles after an event at a “dead yard” in the nearby Spot Valley community. Dead are Kenroy Miller, otherwise called Gunny, and Vinroy Miller, otherwise called Stamma. The brothers, who were from a section of the Barrett Town called Compound, were 29 years old. The Jamaica Observer visited their house yesterday and found the premises locked up; however, several young men nearby stated that they are astonished at the development involving the twin brothers. “This mysterious, man; you have to go into your crystal ball because we don’t really understand this. This is not anything normal,” one man said. “How two brothers really lick up and dead so? That puzzling, my youth,” he added, choosing not to be identified. He explained that the situation is even more devastating as the brothers were at a nine-night event for a friend in Spot Valley before the collision. “The two man a come from a ‘dead yard’ for a girl that die overseas, and to see this now it strange bad,” he continued. According to the police, about 12:15 on Saturday morning both men were driving separate motorcycles in opposite directions when they reportedly collided. The police were contacted and the Miller men were taken to hospital where they subsequently succumbed to their injuries. Both individuals were reportedly not wearing any protective equipment such as helmets. However, when asked about reports that the brothers had no headlights, the men told the Observer they could not confirm. They, however, sought to provide some insight into the lives of the Miller brothers, explaining that they were friendly individuals. “They are working youth dem — one work a hotel and one work on site. A good youth dem, man. Boy, this rough,” one young man said. Another man indicated jokingly that some individuals were reportedly saying the situation seems to be occult-related. “Some man saying this must be ‘guzum’,” he said. Meanwhile, speaking to the Observer yesterday, Councillor Anthony Murray (Rose Hall Division, Jamaica Labour Party) lamented that the men reportedly weren’t wearing the required protective helmets. He, therefore, called on individuals in his division to adhere to the rules of the road so as to prevent any such recurrence. “I am using this opportunity to appeal to our drivers because what we have realised in this division, we have seen an increase in the number of accidents related to motor bikes, especially in the Spot Valley area,” he said. “I am appealing to our motorists — who are especially using that particular road — to be careful on the road, to ride within the speed limit, and most importantly wear your protective gear,” he said. Since the start of the year, Jamaica has recorded 279 road fatalities, resulting from 239 fatal collisions, up to October 4.

The soundtracks to The Harder They Come and Rockers have made Rolling Stone magazine’s 101 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, which was released on September 24. The Harder They Come soundtrack was released in 1973, one year after the sensational movie of the same name. It ranks at #3 behind Purple Rain and Help by The Beatles. Rockers’ soundtrack, released in 1979, is #52. Featuring songs mainly from Jimmy Cliff, the movie’s star, The Harder They Come soundtrack helped introduce reggae to a global audience. Cliff performs the title song, Many Rivers to Cross, Sitting in Limbo, You Can Get It if You Really Want and Wonderful World, Beautiful People. Other songs on the soundtrack are Draw Your Brakes by Scotty, Rivers of Babylon by The Melodians, Sweet and Dandy by The Maytals, 007 (Shanty Town) by Desmond Dekker and The Aces, Johnny Too Bad by The Slickers. The soundtrack album peaked at #140 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. In 2021, the album was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Rockers starred a number of leading reggae musicians and artistes including drummer Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth, Dillinger and Jacob Miller. The film was directed by American Theodoros Bafaloukos and released in 1978. Chris Blackwell was responsible for the soundtrack compilation. Songs on the Rockers soundtrack include Fade Away by Junior Byles, Slave Master by Gregory Isaacs, Jah No Dread by Burning Spear, Tenement Yard by Jacob Miller, Stepping Razor by Peter Tosh and Police and Thieves by Junior Murvin. Other soundtracks which made the Rolling Stone list include The Bodyguard at #101, Do The Right Thing (#98), Footloose (#93), Top Gun (#82), Beverly Hills Cop (#79), Dirty Dancing (#74), Flashdance (#64), Waiting to Exhale (#27), and Saturday Night Fever (#5).

There seems to be an exodus of athletes from the Reynaldo Walcott-led Elite Performance Track and Field Club, with Elaine Thompson-Herah reportedly also on her way out, following news of other big-name departures. Sprinting great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a founding athlete in the organisation, has reportedly parted ways with the camp, after helping to establish the group in 2016 following her initial split with long-time coach Stephen Francis. She eventually left permanently in 2019. Rasheed Broadbell, the Olympic Games bronze medal winner and Commonwealth Games champion is also through the door and is expected to rejoin the MVP Track Club, where he got his big break in the sport before leaving in 2021 to join Walcott’s programme. There is now strong reports that Thompson-Herah, the double Olympic sprint champion from the 2016 and 2020 is in advanced negotiations with the MVP Track Club, which would signal the return of another prodigal for the University of Technology-based club. It has been a less-than-ideal campaign for the Elite Performance team with Broadbell delivering the only individual medal for the group at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It is unclear whether or not other big-named athletes from the group Rushell Clayton, the two-time World Championships bronze medal winner, and quarter-miler Stacey-Ann Williams will remain with Walcott.

JTA supports call to make classrooms cooler and more comfortable Aproposal by a University of the West Indies scientist to outfit all classrooms throughout the country with air conditioning (A/C) units, in light of extremely hot conditions brought on by climate change, has found favour with Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Dr Mark Smith. Director for the Institute for Sustainable Development at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, Dr David Smith, who made the recommendation during Wednesday’s sitting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC), argued that outfitting all school rooms across the country with air conditioning is vital. “Research shows very clearly that children learn less the warmer it is. It’s not just that they’re uncomfortable and irritable; they don’t learn,” he said. “So what we are looking at is a situation where as our school rooms become warmer and warmer, and our ability as a country to develop the human capital we need to run our economy gets worse and worse and worse. So, putting air conditioners in school classrooms is not a matter of comfort and luxury; it is what we absolutely need to build the human capital we need to get to where we would like to go. If we don’t do it, our economy will not grow because we have no capital to drive it,” Dr Smith told PAAC members. The JTA’s Smith, in response to queries from the Jamaica Observer, said he welcomed the call by The UWI’s director, which also highlights the need to modernise classrooms to be able to withstand climate change impacts. “My opinion on the matter is that what is clear is that we need to modernise many of our classrooms. If you look at many of the classrooms across the island, you’re going to find that the same classroom with children presently sit in look exactly the same like the classroom their parents sat in and their grandparents, and possibly even their great-grandparents sat in. So there has been a failure for us over periods to really modernise our classrooms. A part of that would be climate-proofing those classrooms to ensure that they are better equipped and a conducive environment for learning,” he said. The JTA president said that there is a lot of merit to what the scientist said, pointing out that increased temperatures globally are going to be a barrier for effective learning and facilitation of affected classes as students often get fatigued, frustrated and are unable to focus when conditions are warmer. “Also, it’s very difficult for our teachers where you have to work in a classroom sometimes with 40 or 50 students in that classroom. Ideally, we would like to have our class size at around 20 to one, but in many schools, particularly with this shortage of teachers, we’re seeing some critical areas where teachers have had to be doubling up the size of their classes, and putting more physical bodies within a space increases the temperature within the room. That is then layered over with the fact that there’s really poor ventilation of the classes and with the increase in the global temperatures that then layers on another challenge for creating a conducive space. Many classrooms don’t even have a fan, much less an air conditioning unit,” he said. Dr Smith said that while the economics of installing A/Cs in schools will undoubtedly be challenging, he suggested that in seeing the proposal through, focus in the first instance could be placed on those schools that are suffering the most. “One of the things that I will put on the table from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association is that we need to, first of all, establish some minimum standards for our schools. After establishing those minimum standards, then we create an entire schedule of schools showing how many of these schools have met those minimum standards. If you say 30 schools [will be outfitted] and then we’re going have to work to fix the rest now to meet the standards. Then every year, the Government would systematically try to get 10 schools [outfitted] and then you publish that list every year so we as a public can monitor the progress that is happening,” he said. He said what is being proposed would be a massive cost that would require private/public partnerships, and maintenance costs as well as electricity would have to be considered. He suggested that solar technology could be used to power the A/C units to save on cost. This suggestion was in line with dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI, Mona Professor Michael Taylor’s earlier words of caution during the PAAC sitting that the need for A/Cs in schools cannot be divorced from the country’s commitment under the energy sector policy which speaks to the use of renewable energy. “You certainly can’t put them in there and then run them off of fossil fuels because then you have a challenge. This is [why] I talk about now climate-proofing all of the actions and the collaboration across [sectors].” “It is clear, we do need to figure out cooling, but we have to do it in a way that is consistent now with the other commitments that we have made energy and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and that’s critical. The other part of that is you want to make sure that the new infrastructure that you are putting in…I know that there are some brand new schools that are going [up]. Have those plants been climate proofed?,” he asked. In the meantime, Professor Taylor told the PAAC that the education sector is now emerging as one of the industries that is becoming more vulnerable to climate change, stressing that measures need to be put in place to mitigate the impact, particularly extreme heat. He said the education sector is taking a beating from climate, especially from heat, pointing out that last summer was the hottest, with July being the hottest ever and has only been

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is officially reporting the full implementation of the first phase of online motor vehicle registration renewal. In a release Monday, the agency stated that the added online service which is a result of the collaboration among TAJ, eGov Jamaica and the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ), means that motorists are able to renew their Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate (MVRC) online via the authority’s online platform www.jamaicatax.gov.jm. This addition to the suite of digital services follows the recently concluded pilot exercise of the service, with statistics suggesting a strong take-up of the online renewal option, TAJ said. During the pilot phase (April 1- September 30) approximately 2,886 of 2,928 applications were processed, with data indicating that more than 90 per cent of the applications were processed within a business day, which is well within the one to three day stated turn-around time, according to the agency. Commissioner General of Tax Administration Jamaica, Ainsley Powell has expressed his satisfaction with the full implementation of the phase one service, indicating that the tax authority has refreshed and fined–tuned the online service with enhanced security features, greater usability and a more seamless transition of the service process. Commissioner General Powell reiterated, “the authority’s continued leveraging of digital technologies, to provide valued added services that are convenient and user-friendly for its clientele”, and shared that “this activity is preparatory to the inclusion of other vehicle types and delivery options in subsequent phases”. Clients who have utilised the service have shared feedback suggesting its long awaited welcome, with many users hailing it as a convenient, easy to use and secure addition to the TAJ online service offerings. Taxpayers owning a private motor vehicle with valid insurance certificates, cover notes and fitness may apply and pay for their renewal online and then pick-up the MVRC and sticker within three business days, at one of six tax offices, involved in this phase, utilising a special pick up window, TAJ said. Once processed an email notification will be sent to the taxpayer or their stated agent to pick up the registration documents at any of the following tax offices they had selected: – Kingston Revenue Service Centre – St Andrew Revenue Service Centre (Constant Spring) – Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre – Spanish Town Tax Office – May Pen Tax Office – St Ann’s Bay Tax Office Customers will also be able to track the progress of the registration online using TAJ’s Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal tracking facility, the agency said. Clients are able to renew their vehicle registration using the online service between 90 days prior to and up to 11 months after the document’s expiry. Motorists are reminded that they must be in possession of valid fitness and insurance certificates, which will be electronically verified via the integrated databases of the Island Traffic Authority, the Insurance Association of Jamaica and TAJ. For further information please contact the TAJ Customer Care Centre 888.829.4357 or visit www.jamaicatax.gov.jm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) cut interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.50 per cent per annum, in a move the central bank said Monday is based on an improvement in the inflation outlook. “Annual headline inflation at August 2024, as reported by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), was 6.5 per cent, higher than the 5.1 per cent at July 2024. This outturn was in line with the most recent forecast and above the bank’s target range of four to six per cent. “Despite the increase in headline inflation, the measure of core inflation that excludes the prices of agricultural food products and fuel was 4.3 per cent at August 2024, continuing the lowering of underlying inflation since the start of 2024,” the BOJ said in a press release. READ: BOJ should slash interest rates aggressively after US Fed cut The BOJ said its projected path for inflation over the next eight quarters is likely to be revised downward. “Recent developments suggest that headline inflation will return to the bank’s target range earlier than initially forecast. This outlook largely reflects the possibility of a lower-than anticipated impact of Hurricane Beryl on agricultural supplies. “Additionally, some key drivers of headline inflation continued to moderate in the context of falling international commodity prices. The lagged effect of the Bank’s monetary policy posture over the past three years should also continue to dampen domestic demand and wage pressures. The net flow of new domestic currency loans to the private sector (expressed in constant prices) for July 2024 also continued to moderate,” the central bank said. Inflation expectations in Jamaica have been on a consistent downward path and the exchange rate has been relatively stable, the BOJ noted. “In this regard, inflation is expected to settle within the bank’s target range over the forecast horizon, with the exception of the next two to three months. There is, however, an ongoing upside risk to the inflation projection in the context of the current active hurricane season,” said the central bank.

ST ANN, Jamaica – A preliminary count of ballot boxes has shown that the Jamaica Labour Party’s Matthew Samuda was victorious in the North East St Ann by-election on Monday. Samuda claimed 4,838 votes, beating independent candidate David Fritz Anderson who got 222 votes and Chase Neil of the United Independents’ Congress who received 30 votes. According to the Electoral Office of Jamaica, the preliminary voter turnout was 11.6 per cent. The by-election was announced following the resignation of Marsha Smith, who endured a turbulent relationship as Member of Parliament with her supporters over the years. The main opposition People’s National Party did not contest the election. – Akera Davis

JFF fears increased Concacaf scrutiny for National Stadium’s repeated lighting issues AFTER a series of issues with lighting at the National Stadium this year, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung says the region’s governing body, Concacaf, is concerned and is maintaining communication to avoid any serious consequences. The stadium was in the news again this month when the second half of Cavalier FC’s Concacaf Caribbean Cup game with Haiti’s Real Hope was delayed by nearly 30 minutes after the light towers by the southern end of the stadium went out. Independence Park (IP) later confirmed that it was an electrical issue which was resolved shortly after. However, less than 24 hours after that incident the lights also went before Frazsier’s Whip’s Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup game against Tigres of Mexico. The match eventually went ahead. Those issues add to the previous incidents in 2024 when Cavalier was fined by Concacaf after it was deemed the lights were inadequate during their Champions League game against FC Cincinnati in February. The Jamaica Observer understands that the fine was around US$10,000 ($1.5 million). The Reggae Boyz also had their World Cup qualifier against Dominican Republic in June played at 3:30 pm instead of 6:30 pm because the lights failed an inspection. The Government spent close to $20 million to install new lights in July to ensure it met Concacaf and FIFA requirements. It met approval and this allowed Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League match against Cuba to go ahead under lights on September 6. However, Chung told the Observer that the new issues have caused some worry. “Concacaf has expressed that they’re concerned about the stadium and the condition of it,” he said. “When we had the lighting issue there was quite a bit of money that was spent. The [sports] minister secured the funds and the lights were rectified, somewhat. I’ve been assured by the minister that what they’re doing is actually starting the redevelopment of the stadium, so we’re expecting things will get better from here. Certainly, the latest incident with the lights is one of concern but, given the explanation and the checks our maintenance person did, it seems to us that the situation is resolved and we’re doing everything to ensure that situation doesn’t occur again.” Chung says there has been no word from Concacaf regarding a potential fine for Cavalier for the incident against Real Hope. In an interview with the Observer recently, IP Chairman Mike Fennell wasn’t willing to say if they would be open to helping Cavalier pay a potential fine. “I can’t speak to that at this stage. I could never speak to that at this stage,” Fennell said. However, Chung says they should assist if there is a sanction. “[Concacaf] have their rules written out so we’ll see what happens, but we’re certainly on the side of Cavalier with this,” he said. “If it comes, then I think that it will be unfair for Cavalier to pay the fine. I would think that if a fine occurred because of an external party then that party should assist. For example, it [external party assistance] could be the stadium is given free [to Cavalier] if that is fine, if it amounts to the amount of money that the stadium is being rented for; I think that would be the ideal situation if a fine comes. We’re hoping a fine doesn’t come.” With the Reggae Boyz set to host Honduras on October 14 at the National Stadium, Chung says they’ll be on high alert as Concacaf may begin to lose patience. “We’re constantly looking at it, because even Friday we went down and took some pictures of the field and everything and sent it to Concacaf, as they requested,” he said. “We’re constantly on it because the truth is that, with the Caribbean Cup games and the national senior men’s games, they’re broadcast internationally so we have to make sure that nothing goes wrong — because it’s just not the games are being affected but Jamaica and Jamaican facilities are on display internationally when we have these games. “If we want to continue to be able to host international games, for a country like Jamaica which is the number one men’s and women’s team in the Caribbean, we have to have the facility in place and have the basic things to ensure we can host international games.” Chung says the stadium upgrade needs to occur quickly to prevent further issues in the future. “I’m hoping that with the development work being done on the stadium that we’ll see it much better in terms of an improved stadium facility, because that’s important. If we’re looking at using sports as one of our competitive edges and a way for us to be impacting society and earning money, we have to have a proper stadium facility in place. The work that’s being done now is something we should have done a long time ago.”

Tricia Robinson, president of Netball Jamaica (NJ), says the upcoming Horizon Netball series against arch-rivals England is a pivotal opportunity for development of both emerging and senior players. The series is to kick off with two matches in Manchester, England, on November 16 and 17 at the AO Arena. Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls will then welcome England for the final two matches on November 25 and 26 at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in St Andrew. Robinson said that the matches will allow players to showcase their skills in front of international scouts, which could lead to opportunities to play in leagues overseas. She also envisioned the series as a springboard for emerging talents to demonstrate their prowess. “For seniors, it’s an opportunity for scouts around the world to see them. They get the opportunity to be seen; they can play in the Super League [England] and the Suncorp Super Netball League (Australia), and also for the programme, it allows our local girls to be exposed,” Robinson said. “So there should be one and two new persons coming into the squad joining the senior girls, so it should be an exciting time for them. This is a momentous occasion for our netballers. We’re not just competing; we’re building for the future,” the president further said. As Robinson pondered the upcoming Horizon Series, she said that this innovative format, a first for the sport, is going to put Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls and England’s national team to the ultimate test. She said the idea was born from a shared desire to shake up traditional netball competition. “Well, usually England and Jamaica have played for years and the teams got together and wanted to, you know, have a different spin on it. It’s never been done before where we’ve played each other in each other’s country in a week, 12 days, so to speak. And so we think it is a fantastic idea,” Robinson said. Robinson acknowledged there are risks. “We will see how it goes on the bodies of the girls, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements if it is needed,” she said, though expressing confidence that the rewards outweigh the potential challenges. Robinson said that she expects the players to perform well in their first international series since competing at last summer’s Netball World Cup. She acknowledge that it takes time for players to adapt to the international stage, and they’re eager to see how they fare. “I expect them to do well and as usual, they give 110 per cent when they go on court for their first international series. So with everything that takes time, let’s see how they perform,” she said. “Well, you know, we have the new head coach, Sasher-Gaye Henry. It will be her first international outing. She’s supported by Rob Wright and our analyst Kyle Hendrix. So we’re looking forward to exciting results,” Robinson added. Robinson said the team is also preparing for international three-match Test series against South Africa at NISC from January 18-25 next year.

Papa San was one of dancehall music’s leading hitmakers from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. Songs such as I Will Survive, Style and Fashion, Maddy Maddy Cry, Strange Things, Round Table Talk, and Legal Rights (both with Lady G) were chart-toppers, and he received the coveted DJ of The Year title on multiple occasions. However, in 1997, he took an about-turn, giving up secular music and committing his life to the Lord. The veteran entertainer shared the influence of his personal experiences on his past life and music, underlining the impact of his faith on his overall growth. “I was born in Kingston and lived at Tower Street and then moved to Thompson Pen in Spanish Town and later Dela Vega City, and I saw so much violence, so much dead men on the ground, so much people died by either stab wounds or gunshot and different things. So you live in an environment that’s filled with violence and political wars, and your mind has been trained to live a certain way, where the gun is your protection and your friend is your security,” he said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “Music stepped into play and it helped me to elevate, and then when you elevate, you have the fame, the girls, the popularity, and you’re travelling all over the world, that was my life. And when I achieved all of that, I was still depressed. I felt like a lonely man in a room. Eventually, you’re just going to hit a dead-end road. There’s a void,” he added. Papa San was in Jamaica last week to support his long-time friend Junior Tucker, who launched his album, Journey: The Best of Junior Tucker, on September 28 at Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston. “God and only God could fill that void. It was in 1997 and I went on a tour in Africa with Third World, and when I got back, the conviction got really great in my heart to know Jesus. My wife and I went to a Baptist church and that’s when I surrendered my life to Christ. My appetite for the past was erased, I never want to go back to that lifestyle. That is my salvation, my experience with Christ. I’m glad I gave my heart to Christ,” Papa San shared. Now residing in Florida, Papa San and his wife, Debbie, are ordained ministers and started Our Father’s Kingdom International Ministries there 11 years ago. “We’ve done a lot for the community, and right now we are still doing outreach three times a month. We feed the homeless, I teach Bible studies, we have prayer days, we do free health fairs, and we also distribute food and packages to the community. We also keep events where we win souls for Christ,” he said. Still, his music remains a major part of his ministry and he continues to create and spread the message with a new project on the horizon. My Worship, Papa San’s ninth gospel album, is scheduled to be released next year. It is preceded by the song Who Love Like This, which was released last week. Who Love Like This is co-produced by Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-Quee and Papa San’s son BEAM, who is also a recording artiste. He has collaborated with Beyonce, Justin Bieber, and several other major acts. BEAM produced One Blood, Papa San’s only number one on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. The artiste is looking ahead to the album and has promised international collaborations and uplifting music. “My Worship is coming out in the first quarter of next year, and we have collaborations with African artistes as well as international artistes. I’m looking forward to that album, and we’ll be releasing several singles leading up to the release of the project. BEAM and Supa Dups are among the producers on the new album,” Papa San disclosed. “You can expect songs that will uplift you, inspire you, songs that will bring you joy and peace to remind you who Jesus is, songs to help you walk in the ways of God.”

JLP candidate secures 95% of votes in low voter turnout St Ann NE by-election OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Clanging bell in one hand and shrouded in green-tinted smoke as he yelled “Shower, Labourites!” into a microphone clutched in the other hand, Matthew Samuda celebrated his convincing victory in Monday’s by-election to retain the St Ann North Eastern constituency for the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Samuda amassed 95 per cent of the votes tallied during a preliminary count after ballots closed, with 4,838 to 222 for independent candidate David Fritz Anderson and 30 for Chase Neil of the United Independents’ Congress (UIC). But Jamaica’s 16th parliamentary by-election since 1944 was marked by a low 11.6 per cent voter turnout. Shortly after the results were announced by the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ), Samuda — in front of an adoring throng of green-clad supporters — smoothly signalled the music selector to turn the music down low as he said, “Labourites, a wonder if uunu still deh yah? …Shower, Labourites, the labour party river come dung bank to bank, to bank!” The crowd erupted, some waving green rags above their heads as they pranced. The frenzied emotion was in stark contrast to what had played out during much of the day. It was like watching paint dry as voters trickled into the 146 polling stations across 27 voting locations in the geographically massive constituency. At several polling stations there were more JLP outdoor agents and police than voters in the early hours after the polls opened at 7:00 am. By mid-day the EOJ reported that at 11:00 am the voter turnout was just 5.12 per cent. That was well below the 16.44 per cent recorded at the same time during the 2020 General Election in which the JLP’s Marsha Smith — who resigned recently — emerged victorious with just over 9,000 votes. But on Monday, JLP supporters were not worried about the low voter turnout, pointing out that Shahine Robinson won the seat with just over 5,000 votes in the 2010 by-election, which she was forced to contest after the court ruled that she was ineligible to sit in the House of Representative because she was a dual citizen. Robinson, who died on May 29, 2020 at the age of 66, had shot to national prominence when she first won the seat in the 2001 by-election polling 7,797 votes to the Carol Jackson of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) who secured 7,324 votes. “The great Shahine won with 5,000 votes when she was at the height of her political career in 2010 when the PNP did not contest, so anything over 4,000 says the ‘Water Man’ Samuda is here to stay,” a JLP outdoor agent, who gave her name as Kamesha, said on Monday when quizzed about the low voter turnout before 9:00 am at one polling station in the constituency. She said she was not worried by the low numbers in the morning as she expected an uptick later in the day, as the PNP had decided not to contest the by-election. That view was shared by several JLP supporters who spoke with the Observer as journalists from a number of media houses sought content to provide updates for their newsrooms on a day of dribs and drabs in the voting. “It looks like a normal voting day for a by-election. It will improve as the day progresses, like from 12:00 to 1:00 in the afternoon, you will see those who are at work coming out to vote and we will be having a ‘showerous’ evening,” said Laney McFarlane, who was one of the JLP outdoor agents at Ocho Rios Methodist Church where a handful of voters had cast their ballots just before 11:00 am. At Lime Hall Basic School, JLP supporter Glendean Pine said even though the number of voters who participated in the by-election just after midday was considered to be low, efforts were made in the Lime Hall Division to secure Samuda’s victory. “All who in the race still in last place; Matthew is the winner already,” said Pine. “We gone with it because we have been going for voters since morning; some come in three or four at a time. We have to make sure the votes go in for Matthew because we a send him a road. The other two competitors a just waste of time. Dem could really just sit this one out,” added Pine. Independent candidate David “Five Pound” Anderson, was also not worried about the low voter turnout in the morning as he told the Observer that his supporters would be voting in the afternoon. “People are raring and ready to go, my voters are coming out in the afternoon and we are ready to move,” said Anderson at the start of the day. At the end of voting, he was still adamant that he will continue working for what he believes in. “I’m not daunted. I’m on a mission and when you’re on a movement you can expect just about any result. I’m continuing to move, but having to face certain challenges is not easy. It’s not about numbers, it’s about getting a message across,” he told the Observer. “The message is that we need a change from the two-type system where people come around this time and expect to change the views that people have had for three or four years. The people may not realise it yet, but the journey of a million miles begins with one step. So I just look at it that the results will reach the appropriate people,” he added.

Saint International model Tami Williams has had quite the run at Paris Fashion Week! Her signature strut has appeared for the Germanier, Caroline Hu, Georges Hobeika, and Zimmermann S/S 25 shows. Williams was also one of the names that hit the runway as the lingerie brand Etam executed an electrifying live show at the inner courtyard of the Monnaie de Paris on Tuesday, September 24th. Now Williams is back, this time on Etam’s e-commerce site, rocking pieces ripped from the runway.

BEIJING, China (AFP) — A fire broke out Sunday at a factory belonging to Chinese battery giant CATL, which supplies electric vehicle makers including Tesla, but only a “relatively small” impact on operations is expected, the company said. A CATL spokesperson said no injuries or casualties had occurred at the plant in the coastal city of Ningde, and that “the reasons behind this accident are still under investigation”. Emergency services were sent to the plant to fight the fire and to organise the evacuation of any people who were inside the 15,000 square metre (160,000 square feet) site, a statement by the Dongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone said. Firefighters were alerted to the blaze just before 11:30 AM local time (0330 GMT). It was not immediately clear what was produced at the plant, CATL’s base in the eastern province of Fujian, but the company said the effect of the now extinguished fire would not be significant. “The impact to CATL’s overall production operation is relatively small,” the spokesperson said. Videos published by the Chinese business media outlet Cailianshe, and posted on the Weibo social network, showed parts of a large white building in flames with thick gray smoke rising into the air. AFP could not immediately verify the authenticity of the images. CATL was founded in 2011 and produces more than a third of the electric vehicle batteries sold worldwide for automakers that include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police have re-imposed a 48-hour curfew that was enforced in sections of the Kingston Western Police Division last week. The curfew, which first started on Monday, September 23, was extended for another 48 hours two days later. It ended on Friday but began again on Saturday evening. The curfew will remain in effect until 6:00 pm Monday, the police reported. The curfew was initially imposed because of a bloody turf war in Craig Town, St Andrew, where the 110 and Gaza gangs have been involved in an ongoing feud over recent months. This had resulted in several murders and shootings. Police reported that the war had taken an even deadlier twist as the gangs, whose members are known to each other, have sought and acquired help from gunmen from outside communities. The boundaries of the curfew are: North: Along Greenwich Park Road from the western end of the Calvary Cemetery onto Lyndhurst Road to Studio One Boulevard; East: Along Slipe Pen Road from Studio One Boulevard to Asquith Street; South: Along Asquith Street from Slipe Pen Road to Thompson Street; and West: Along Thompson Street from Asquith Street continuing along an imaginary line to Greenwich Park Road to the vicinity of the western Boundary of the Calvary Cemetery. During the hours of the curfew, all individuals within its boundaries are required to remain within their premises unless otherwise authorised by the ground commander.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cavalier SC’s unbeaten start to the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League continued Sunday with a comfortable 2-0 win over 10-man Waterhouse at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. The reigning champions opened the scoring inside the opening 15 minutes when Jalmaro Calvin finished off a brilliant individual move from Dwayne Atkinson. Dwayne Atkinson of Cavalier celebrates as he scores Cavalier’s second goal against Waterhouse in their Jamaica Premier League match played at the Tony Spaulding Complex on Sunday September 29, 2024. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) Waterhouse would play over an hour without their starting goalkeeper and captain Kemar Foster when he was shown a red card in the 32nd minute for bringing down Cavalier forward Shaquille Stein. Cavalier would make them pay just three minutes later as Atkinson doubled their advantage and sealed the win with a close range strike. With the win, Cavalier move to 7 points after three games while Waterhouse remain on 3 points after two games.

MANY entrepreneurs will tell you that they had a lifelong dream of owning a business and they never felt comfortable with just their nine-to-five jobs, but Natalie Murray is not like many entrepreneurs. She was perfectly content with her career in banking, which offered comfort, stability and structure. But life can sometimes take unexpected turns and cause us to take leaps of faith to fulfil our callings, and today, Murray is the proud owner of The Life Store Wellness Boutique and Body by TLS. She shares her story of courage, transformation, and a deep love for helping others to live their healthiest lives. While growing up, Murray watched her mother navigate one of the most common chronic illnesses — diabetes — and saw how much it impacted her daily life. This, coupled with her father’s teachings on the importance of nutrition, was her informal introduction to the world of holistic health and wellness. “I always had an innate understanding and appreciation of the human body and how it functions,” she shared, explaining that although she had this natural inclination, she did not consider wellness as a full-time career path for herself. Fast forward to 2000, and Murray is just returning to Jamaica after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Guelph, with two years of banking experience under her belt. The self-starter quickly ascended the ranks in banking, working in cash management and electronic banking, then treasury for financial giants like Citibank and Scotiabank. After more than 10 years of climbing the corporate rungs, Murray found that more and more of her friends and relatives were coming to her for help on their wellness journeys, and her calling could no longer be ignored. In 2013, she decided to get certified. “After becoming certified, I started to coach people as a part-time health coach… and then I left my banking career in 2016 to pursue coaching full-time,” she said. Leaving the corporate world to become an entrepreneur was one of the toughest decisions of Murray’s life. She admitted that she never wanted to own a business. “I loved my 9 to 5. I always wanted to leave work when work was over. I didn’t want to carry work or stress home with me,” she said frankly. “I loved a regular paycheque that I didn’t have to worry about, and whether I was having a good day or a bad day, my salary was safe.” But after coaching full-time for four years, her adventurous spirit saw her taking a leap of faith and opening The Life Store Wellness Boutique in February 2020. Little did she know that the world was on the brink of a pandemic that would test her resolve as a new business owner in just a few weeks. “We had our grand opening during COVID, and that formed one of my proudest moments as an entrepreneur. To have the junior minister of health cut the ribbon and make remarks that Jamaica needs more of what we are doing was very inspiring, and it helped to fuel my determination to make the business successful,” Murray recalled. Offering personalised health and weight loss coaching, The Life Store soon became a sanctuary for people trying to reclaim their health. In 2023, she added Body by TLS to her offerings, recognising that while diet and exercise are crucial, they sometimes don’t deliver the aesthetic results that clients seek. The body contouring services at Body by TLS provide targeted improvements, such as fat and cellulite reduction and skin tightening. The director shared that while she is still not very fond of some of the rigours of entrepreneurship, such as inventory control, being able to stand in the corner for people as they fight to reclaim control over their wellness makes it all worth it. “I thrive on seeing people evolve,” she said joyfully. “It’s my biggest pride and joy when people come back and tell me their doctor took them off diabetes medication because they no longer have pre-diabetes. It’s a testament to the power of small changes.” Inspired by influential wellness practitioners such as Dr Mark Hyman, Dr Sarah Gottfried, and most recently Dr Marie Claire Haver and Dr Gabrielle Lyons, Murray is excited to continue to learn new practices and adapt new technologies into her health and aesthetics businesses. Murray’s vision for The Life Store is one of continued growth. She plans to expand the body contouring services, and has aspirations of hosting wellness retreats and conferences. She also feels a special calling to help women navigate the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, a life stage she believes is often shrouded in mystique. “My generation of women are very much in need of support as we are transitioning and navigating the space of changing hormones in this phase of life, and I’d like to help women and their partners through it,” she shared. Reflecting on her journey since venturing into the unknown, Murray is proud of what she has achieved so far, and encourages others to take a chance on themselves. “I believe in the saying that magic happens outside of your comfort zone, and that nothing changes until something changes,” she said. “And so I always encourage others to follow their passions, even if it takes them into uncharted waters. If you find something that you love to do, and there actually is a demand for it, then by all means, go for it.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Oquassa Chong scored a double, including a last minute winner, as Harbour View made a winning return to Compound, beating Molynes United 2-1 in their Jamaica Premier League game played on Sunday. Sunday’s game was the first played at Harbour View’s refurbished home grounds since the 2020 season and they made it back-to-back wins after coming from behind to beat Montego Bay United 2-1 on Monday. Chong, who had scored the equaliser on Monday, gave Harbour View the lead in the 58th minute but Jason Wright equalised for Molynes United 10 minutes later. Chong however produced the winner in the 90th minute as Harbour View improved to six points. Meanwhile, at Wembley Centre of Excellence, 10-man Vere United scored a last minute goal to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw against Humble Lion in a Clarendon derby. The game was knotted at 0-0 when Vere United’s Michael Forbes was sent off in the 72nd minute after picking up his second yellow card in the game. A minute later, Karim Bryan sent Humble Lion ahead. However, Kishane Gordon salvaged a point for Vere United when he scored in the 90th minute. -Paul A Reid

Turncoat plotting to oust Morgan in Clarendon North Central MAY PEN, Clarendon — Having turned what was once a strong Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) division into a victory for the People’s National Party (PNP) in the last local government election, Mocho Councillor Romaine Morris is now on a mission to turn the entire constituency orange. Morris has put Clarendon North Central Member of Parliament, the JLP’s Robert Morgan, on notice that he is determined to see him lose his seat in the next general election, constitutionally due by September 2025. “I can say that North Central Clarendon will be in the hands of the People’s National Party come the next election,” Morris confidently told the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of a senior citizens’ forum held at Clarendon Parish Library last week. “I can say that because when you talk to the people on the ground, it’s not me saying it, it’s the people saying it. I only have one vote in North Central Clarendon, and if the people make up their mind that they’re ready for a change now, there’s nothing I can do. The best thing for Mr Morgan is to just enjoy the next couple of days you have left in politics,” added Morris. Tension between the two men played a major factor in Morris turning his back on the ruling JLP ahead of the February 26 Local Government Election. According to the councillor, his interaction with people on the ground has shown that constituents are ready for a change. According to Morris, although many JLP supporters did not agree with his decision to switch to the PNP, the representation that he has given to the division has not gone unnoticed. “As always, my focus [has been] on the people of the division, how I can represent them, how I can actually improve their life, how I can actually leave my mark and my impact on the people in Mocho. You know, so that is my focus. It’s always been. I think that’s what helped me to bring me through the February 26th election,” he stated. He said despite his crossover, residents of Mocho have shown him genuine love. “One of the most stressful part of my life was to go to the transition, and one of the things that I have to appreciate, I appreciate the people in the Mocho Division who gave me the reassurance…you recognise that, you know, you see people genuinely showing their love for you. And to actually see you go through an election, you see persons that, some of them are 70, 80, 18, 30, 40 years old and come out and say they’re going to vote for you.” He argued that the momentum coming out of the local government election will be favourable for the PNP’s candidate for the constituency Dr Aujaé Dixon. “The people within north central Clarendon are still enthused… about change and evolution. The people in north central Clarendon, they’re still energised. We are getting even more feedback now from the voters who are excited for change. Some people in Mocho region and north central Clarendon overall, they’re calling the current Member of Parliament [Morgan], the outgoing Member of Parliament. That’s the name that’s on the street now. People are very excited about it. We’re working closely with the party,” added Morris. He told the Observer that his team is now working closely with Dr Dixon, to ensure that he wins the constituency whenever the general election is called. “Representation of the people matters, because a politician can change a person’s life. And sometimes I think the current MP may not believe that, that they can actually change the people’s life. And that is one thing that we’re working on, to actually see how we can impact a person’s life, to impact the next generation — this generation and the next generation to ensure that North Central Clarendon at least take a big footstep forward,” declared Morris.

JLP’s Samuda seeks strong showing in St Ann NE by-election to send message to PNP FOR many political watchers it is the proverbial race against the clock when Matthew Samuda faces two opponents in his bid to retain the St Ann North Eastern seat for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in today’s by-election without the People’s National Party (PNP) fielding a candidate. But his two opponents — David “Five Pound” Anderson, a former PNP caretaker who was nominated as an independent candidate, and the United Independents’ Congress’s (UIC) Chase Neil — are adamant that they are in it to win it. “Confidence is the name of the game, I am fully confident and I am not daunted by any competition or anything. I am fully up, the people are ready and I am ready to go,” Anderson told the Jamaica Observer. He said claims that he will be backed by PNP supporters ignore the reality of what he is seeing on the ground. “I will be getting votes from supporters of the two parties [JLP and PNP]. I am well known in the constituency so I am not going on any party basis. I’m going on people basis. I am good with people, regardless of what their background is, regardless of which party they support,” added Anderson. He told the Observer that JLP supporters who believe that it is a sure thing for their candidate could be in for a surprise when the votes are counted this evening. “The game is not over until that final whistle is blown. There is no way you can complete a game before the final whistle is blown. They say hindsight is always 20-20, so I will leave them with that belief and it will be settled on the day,” added Anderson who has a strong background in football circles in St Ann. He pointed out that he has lived in St Ann North Eastern for the past 47 years and will be voting at the Polo Club in Drax Hall. “I will be the first one voting and I will be there at six o’clock waiting for everything to start,” declared Anderson. For his part, Neil, who will be trying to make political history as the first candidate representing the UIC to win a parliamentary election in Jamaica, told the Observer that he has been receiving good traction in the constituency. “Now I am just hoping that the people of North East St Ann will take advantage of the option that has been made available to them for their voice to be heard and not just the option that is given to them by the owners of our electoral process,” said Neil. “I have made myself available and the people will now choose what they want. They can decide if they want the same of the stagnancy in North East St Ann or they want something different, where the people will now decide what goes on in the governance of their constituency,” added Neil. For his part, Samuda and the JLP are taking no chances in a constituency it has held since 2001 when the late Shahine Robinson first took it from the PNP. Since the by-election was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, several major players in the JLP have been criss-crossing the constituency trying to pull out votes for former Senator Samuda who is making his first foray into representational politics. Last Friday Holness led a team into the constituency for a spot meeting in Ocho Rios with scores of Labourities present. There was another spot meeting in the constituency on Saturday as the JLP moved to energise its base. Following the meeting, Samuda told the Observer that while he is confident of victory, he is leaving nothing to chance. “As a candidate I have certainly walked the length and breadth of the constituency, engaging the people and sharing my vision for the next phase of its development. We have been engaging our workers to move and move early because their is no illusion in our camp that the independent is really independent. “We have seen attempts at mobilisation by the PNP while we have campaigned, but what we have seen generally is a broad enough group of constituents to ensure that North East St Ann remains with the Jamaica Labour Party,” said Samuda. According to Samuda, he is targeting more than 4,000 votes not only to ensure victory but also to send a message to the PNP, with the general election constitutionally due by September 2025. “In our democracy it is really first past the post, but we should also look at the history of this constituency and how it has performed in similar times before. In 2010 when then MP [Member of Parliament] Shahine Robinson would have faced a by-election, without the PNP formally participating, she was able to muster in the region of 5,100 [5,082] votes and anywhere similar would be sufficient to show that the Jamaica Labour Party is dominant in north east St Ann,” added Samuda who was selected to represent the JLP in the constituency following the resignation of Marsha Smith who had won the seat on her first try in the 2020 General Election. Smith had uncomfortable relations with JLP supporters starting shortly after she was elected, which culminated with her resignation after four years In the meantime, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) says all is set for today’s by-election. According to the EOJ, election-day workers who will be deployed to conduct the polls in 146 polling stations across 27 voting locations constituency-wide are all in place. There are 43,827 registered voters in the constituency based on the May 31, 2024 voters’ list that will be used for the by-election. Voters have been reminded to take their voter’s ID card to the polling station and that the use or display of cellphones, cameras, or other recording devices is not allowed inside polling stations. The election will be monitored by the Election Centre, a hub for receiving and validating

NEW YORK, USA — The claim by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating their neighbours’ pets has now crossed country lines to Jamaica. Du’Sean Howard, who co-owns and manages the Jamaica Patty Company in Springfield, Missouri, said he received a telephone call on September 25 where the caller, an elderly woman, angrily demanded to know why he was suing Trump and Vance. Springfield, Missouri, is almost 600 miles away from the similarly-named town in Ohio. “I instantly realised that I was being mistaken for a Haitian national,” Howard said. He said that when he told the caller, who he said is Caucasian, that he was Jamaican and not Haitian, the woman, who did not identify herself, hastily hung up. Trump first made the claim during a televised presidential debate on September 10 with United States Vice-President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent in November 5 elections. “They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats“, he claimed, following a social media post about a missing cat which was later found in its owner’s basement. Trump and Vance have continued to make the false claims despite numerous denials by officials in Ohio, including the governor of the state Mike DeWine, the Mayor of Springfield Rob Rue, and City Manager Bryan Heck. Both Trump and Vance have been sued by the Haitian Brigade Alliance, a Springfield, Ohio, non-profit organisation. Howard told the Jamaica Observer during an interview that “while I cannot speak to the call being racial in tone, I take it seriously as it shows the measure of what can happen with false information and misunderstanding.” The Kingston-born, Jamaica College old boy said he has been in Springfield, Missouri, since 2010 and “I have not encountered any problems in the community. With this being a mid-western state there are many Trump supporters here,” he said. He noted that “since the opening of the business in 2018, we have had no issues with the community as everybody treats each other on both sides with respect. The response from the community to the telephone incident thus far has been positive as people have been coming in and showing their support.” While there is no recorded data of the number of Jamaicans in the community, Howard said that the Haitian and Jamaican communities in the area are small in number. He said that his company currently operates two locations in Springfield, Missouri, and is planning to expand its operations. The company also operates a mobile truck as part of its operations, Howard told the Observer. There have been numerous bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio, since the claim by Trump and Vance, leading to the closure of schools and some businesses. The motion suing Trump and his running mate is seeking their immediate arrest according to the website of Chandra Law, the firm which has filed the motion on behalf of the alliance. The alliance, which is run by co-founder and executive director Gurrline Jozeph, is suing for disrupting public service, making false claims, and committing telecommunications harassment, among several other charges, the website added. The number of Haitian nationals in Springfield, Ohio, ranges from 15,000 to 20,000, the majority of whom are there under legal status arrangements granted by United States authorities. Trump has, however, constantly threatened to deport them should he win the elections. Trump and his running mate JD Vance said Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating their neighbours’ pets (Photo: AFP) People participate in a rally in solidarity with the Haitian community at Boston Common in Boston on September 24, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

ABritish newspaper is reporting that Jamaican teachers recruited from the island for a major chain of academy schools in London have expressed “devastation” on learning that they are being paid thousands of pounds a year less than English-trained recruits with similar levels of experience. According to the Observer, a sister newspaper to The Guardian, experienced teachers have said they have spent years working in Harris Federation schools while still being classed as “unqualified”, meaning they are paid less than their qualified counterparts. The newspaper reported that Harris Federation, England’s second-largest academy chain, with 54 State-funded schools, has been recruiting from Jamaica in recent years, bringing teachers to the UK who are attracted by higher salaries than they can earn in the Caribbean. However, the Jamaican teachers have told the newspaper that what they are being paid has left them struggling with London’s high cost of living. “Several also said they had been ‘thrown in at the deep end’ by the federation, expected to start teaching with little to no job-specific training and no help with finding accommodation,” the newspaper report stated. “Harris paid its chief executive, Sir Dan Moynihan, £485,000 to £490,000 a year in 2022-23, when seven of its executives were paid at least £190,000 each,” the Observer reported. “The federation said last year that it had recruited more than 150 teachers from Jamaica since 2018. Earlier this month, Moynihan told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘We now recruit teachers from Jamaica simply because we cannot find [UK-trained] teachers who are willing to live and work in central London’,” the newspaper reported. It noted that Harris had been recruiting from Jamaica using a company called Hourglass Education, and also flies out its own staff to do interviews. “Five Jamaican teachers told the Observer that neither Hourglass nor Harris made it clear to them that it could take more than a year for Harris to begin the process of moving them off the unqualified teacher pay scale towards them gaining qualified teacher status (QTS),” the report stated. The newspaper said it received a statement from Harris saying it was no longer working with Hourglass. The report explained that under current rules, teachers recruited from countries including the European Union and United States can go through a fast-track system to gain QTS in England, meaning that soon after arrival they will be paid at similar levels for their experience to those trained in the United Kingdom. “Teachers who come from countries including Jamaica, India, Ghana and Nigeria with qualifications to teach languages, maths or science in secondary schools are also put on this fast-track route,” the Observer reported. “However, teachers of other subjects from these countries work in English schools on a lower ‘unqualified teachers’ pay scale.” The newspaper reported that “as of last year, England’s national pay scale for teachers stated that less experienced staff with QTS could be paid up to £47,666 in inner London, rising to a maximum of £56,959 for more experienced professionals”. “In contrast, teachers deemed ‘unqualified’ were paid a maximum of £37,362 regardless of previous experience overseas, although the difference in take-home pay is not as stark because ‘unqualified’ Jamaican teachers are exempt from income tax for their first two years in England. Harris also offers a bonus of up to £2,000 to teachers who work beyond their contractual hours,” the Observer report said. It pointed out that the process of gaining qualified status is in the school’s control; however, the newspaper quotes National Education Union (NEU) General Secretary Daniel Kebede as saying that, “The Harris Federation is failing overseas-trained teachers. Many schools in the trust have dragged their heels in putting our members through the QTS process in a timely manner.” But a Harris spokesperson told the newspaper that in order to ease cost of living pressures, the federation offers its staff packages that go far beyond national pay deals. “But the challenge of being able to find and afford suitable housing in London is a problem that affects many teachers. Indeed, we first raised the issue eight years ago and continue to work to find possible solutions.” The Observer said that one of the five teachers with whom it spoke said he had been recruited in 2020 but only gained QTS this year – meaning Harris had paid him for four years on the “unqualified” scale. The teacher, who requested anonymity because he still works in a large secondary academy, said he was paid £2,600 a month after tax. The NEU said that, as a qualified teacher on the main scale, he would have received £3,275 after tax. He said he felt his school had sought to delay him getting qualified for as long as possible, adding “They want to retain as much money as possible by not getting [teachers from Jamaica] as qualified as the rest of the staff are. It just feels like another Windrush situation. It’s quite a devastating situation for us. The money we’re being paid just makes it really tough to live from day to day.” The Observer reported a Harris Federation spokesperson as saying an “amazing cohort of staff from Jamaica” had benefited the education of their students. It has kept our classrooms staffed at a time when headteachers in the whole country, but especially those of us in London, face a teacher recruitment crisis”. According to the newspaper, the federation said that the “negativity of the NEU’s campaign on this issue does not reflect the reality of most people’s experiences in our schools”. At the same time, the federation acknowledged: “As with any large employer, we will, of course, have a small number of colleagues who are not 100 per cent happy with their experience. In these instances, we work extremely hard to address any concerns raised with us.”

Body of man washed away in Wag Water River found Aheavy weight has been lifted off the minds of Omar Skyers’ family, as his body was finally found on Saturday — 16 days after he washed away in the Wag Water River in Castleton, St Mary. His body was reportedly found in a river in Broadgate in the parish. Omar and his friend Chrisan Steele were swept away on September 12. Steele’s body was found two days later, on September 14. Ann-Marie Skyers breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday. “Friday we received a call and we were told that they saw a body washing down the river. They found him today [Saturday]. It is confirmed. They found him after 1:0o pm. One of his best friends identified him. It is great to get closure now. “Last week Saturday, we kept a nine night for him. When we were there, I told them that with the massive turnout that Omar get, he is going to show up,” Omar’s sister told the Jamaica Observer. “It was raining and people were out there in the rain. People love him and they wanted the opportunity to keep a funeral for him. We couldn’t keep a funeral without a body.” “A lady in Seaview Gardens where he lived told us that he visited her in her dreams twice and said he wanted to show up himself, but he didn’t want the crowd to come,” Skyers added. Her tone and mood were far different from when the Sunday Observer spoke to her on September 17, seeking an update on the search. At that time, she said: “They are still searching. We just want to find the body to get some closure. It is like our lives are on pause. We want to get the body and move on, whether it is whole or in pieces. We just want something to send him off and get back to our lives. “It truly dampens our spirit. The people searching for him really worked hard. His friends took days off from work to search for him. It is rough when you lose someone and you can’t get a body to do what you want to do. We have faith that we will find something, even if it has to be cremated same time,” Ann-Marie told the Sunday Observer then. On September 13, Chrisandra Steele, Chrisan’s younger sibling, gave an account of what she witnessed on the fateful day her sister and Omar were swept away in the river. She said she watched as her sister was knocked off a rock by a strong gush of water along with debris before she was washed downstream. “We were in the water, but some black suppen did a pitch on my skin. I came out of the water and washed them off my skin. I was ready to go and I said, ‘Chrisan, come nuh, mi ready.’ I said it about three times. I told her my head was hurting me. She said she nah come, so I just leave her. She sat down on a rock. Everybody was sitting on a rock,” Chrisandra related. “By the time mi look, a pure bamboo bush with rubbish start come down. She freeze on the rock. The water start run hard and then a big wave come lick her off. Her head was going up and down until I could see her no more. Mi did a run and a bawl out her name. I was about to go in the water for her, but a lady who live near, and her husband, came with a rope. She hold on to me and took me to the police station. She said I can’t go down to the river. She said if mi go in deh mi a go drown,” Chrisandra shared. “Even when Chrisan head come up likkle, she never seh help nor nothing. After my sister go down, it look like a wave lick Omar off the the rock that he was sitting on,” she recounted, adding that she didn’t see how Skyers ended up in the water as it was at that time that the woman had prevented her from jumping into the raging river in an attempt to save her sister, despite her inability to swim.

Hall hails Dixon’s Charlton move; expects major development FORMER interim national head coach, Paul Hall believes that young Reggae Boyz striker Kaheim Dixon is in an ideal environment to continue his development following his move to English League One club Charlton Athletic, and is convinced that with the right attitude he has the potential to become a top-class player. Hall — who played at several well known clubs in England throughout his career including Portsmouth, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United — however noted that for Dixon to achieve this, he must remain humble and follow his coaches’ instructions. “He is in a place now where the hard work starts. He is a very young player and I haven’t seen enough of him, but I am excited about what I have seen,” Hall said. “He needs to learn the game as much as he can, take as much advice from the coaches he is working with, and set targets. Hopefully, he can become the player that we all know he can be,” Hall told the Jamaica Observer. “There are a lot of talents on the island and he is just another one that has come through. Hopefully, he can make a big name for himself but he must set targets for himself and he has got to be humble — which I know he is,” Hall emphasised. Dixon, who turns 20 next month, made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in March of this year during the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals against the United States. So far, he has scored two goals in his 10 appearances for the national senior team. Dixon, who signed with London-based Charlton Athletic last month, led Clarendon College to back-to-back ISSA daCosta Cup titles before scoring four goals in eight appearances for Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League last season. Born in the United Kingdom, Hall was a member of the Reggae Boyz team that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where he started in all three of the nation’s matches. In total he made 48 appearances for the national side, while scoring 14 goals, and served as interim coach of the Reggae Boyz from 2021 to 2022. The 52-year-old highlighted that Charlton Athletic are well known for developing players, which is why many of the biggest clubs in England send their young players there on loan to further their talent. He pointed out that Dixon is in the perfect environment to develop his skills before moving to a larger club in Europe. “Charlton is a good starting point for him because it is a League One club with good coaches and a strong record of producing players. He is in a league where he stands a chance of playing,” Hall said. “In the Championship, players tend to be a bit older to get into the team but League One is a great breeding ground for young footballers like him. “A lot of players go out on loan to League One teams from clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United. If he can have the ambition and get into that League One set-up he is definitely in a breeding ground for growth,” Hall added. Meanwhile, Lenworth “Teacha” Hyde, who coached Dixon throughout his high school career at Clarendon College, believes that once Dixon improves the physical aspects of the game, he can expect to move to a much bigger club in the future. “He is very humble, disciplined, and works very hard. He wants to succeed in his footballing career so he will do everything right to get there,” Hyde said. “He is a very good player on the ball but I want him to get stronger and adjust to the pace of the English league. Within a year you will see changes in him. He is already quick but he just needs to get stronger, and I expect him to move up to a much bigger league within a year.” Dixon, who is currently in Charlton Athletic’s Under-21 set-up, scored a goal and registered an assist on debut against Watford FC Under-21 in a 3-2 victory last Friday.

ST ANN, Jamaica — Police have identified the body of a man who was found on the Mammee Bay main road, in St Ann on Tuesday. He is 24-year-old Romell Brown, unemployed of Lime Bottom, Ocho Rios in the parish. According to lawmen, residents stumbled upon the body around 7:00 am and alerted the police. On the arrival of the police, the body was seen along the road way in a dump heap with what appeared to be stab wounds to the upper body. The body, which is of dark brown complexion and about 5 feet 8 inches long, was shirtless while clad in a pair of black jeans pants and a pair of black sneakers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it has located a toddler who was being verbally and psychologically abused in a video that has gone viral on social media. In the video, the female toddler stares into the camera as a woman is heard hurling insults at her. The woman, believed to be the child’s mother, at one point, threatens to physically harm the child if she isn’t taken away. In a statement on Tuesday, the CPFSA, said it is “deeply distressed” by the video and have intervened in the child’s best interest. “We have located the child in the video, as well as the mother.  The child has been placed with a next of kin as we prepare to bring the matter before the court,” Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA Laurette Adams-Thomas said. “It was deeply distressing and disheartening to witness an adult, in this case the child’s mother, verbally and psychologically abusing the child. Psychological abuse is often not addressed with the same seriousness as other forms of abuse such as physical or sexual abuse, but it can leave long-lasting scars which can affect them into adulthood,” the agency said. Outlining that such abuse can lead to negative outcomes such as impaired social, emotional and cognitive development, the CPFSA said psychological abuse can be “extremely destructive and has been associated with a range of adverse child outcomes including emotional maladjustment, behavioural problems, poor self-esteem and under achievement.” Adams-Thomas further sought to remind and encourage individuals to report any and all forms of child abuse using the 24- hour child abuse reporting hotline 211. Child abuse reports may also be made through WhatsApp/text at 876-878-2882, e-mail report@childprotection.gov.jm or by visiting any CPFSA parish office, or through our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) @cpfsajm.

LOS AANGELES, United States (AFP) — A woman who alleges Sean “Diddy” Combs drugged and violently raped her, filming the assault so he could sell it for the titillation of others, said Tuesday she was suing the rapper. Thalia Graves held a tearful press conference in Los Angeles, in which she said the emotional and mental pain from the 2001 attack remains with her. The 54-year-old Combs was indicted last week on three criminal counts that allege he sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence. A spate of separate lawsuits, now including Graves’s, in the last year have painted the picture of a serial predator, sparking a massive fall from grace for the hip hop star. “It goes beyond just physical harm caused by and during the assault. It’s a pain that reaches into your very core of who you are, and leaves emotional scars that will never be fully healed,” she told reporters. “I’ve had PTSD, depression and anxiety. I’m emotionally scarred. It has been hard for me to trust others, to form healthy relationships, or even feel safe in my own skin. “Flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts make me feel like it’s a constant struggle.” In the criminal case, Combs is charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transporting victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors say Combs was the don of a criminal enterprise that ensnared women and forced them to commit sex acts under the threat of violence, financial insecurity and reputational ruin. – Mounting lawsuits – Allegations have been building against Combs since last year, when singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape. A spate of similarly lurid lawsuits since describe Combs as a violent man who used his celebrity to prey on women. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He has been jailed awaiting trial. Graves’ lawyer, Gloria Allred, said her client’s claims were not part of the criminal indictment. Graves’ suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, says she met the rapper through her then-boyfriend, who worked at Combs’s Bad Boy Records. It details how Combs took her to his studio, giving her a glass of wine along the way that she believes was spiked. She says she lost consciousness shortly after arriving. When she woke up, she was naked and bound. But when she called for help, Combs’ associate Joseph Sherman smashed her head into a pool table. Combs and Sherman then raped her and she passed out again. The suit says the two men repeatedly warned her over the following years not to talk about the alleged assault. After Combs’s ex-girlfriend Cassie Venture went public with allegations about his criminal behavior last year, Graves discovered her assault had been taped and sold as pornography. The legal action demands compensatory and punitive damages, as well as other costs and fees.

Financial group slimming down to focus on core banking and remittance businesses THE JN Financial Group has entered into deals to divest two of its non-core businesses while it is in talks with investors to sell part or all of another subsidiary. JN Financial Group is close to finalizing a deal to sell an 80.1 per cent stake in its JN Bank (UK) and 100 per cent of its JN General Insurance Company (JNGI), while it remains in talks to divest and is also open to “partnership opportunities” with regard to its JN Fund Managers (JNFM) business, according to people familiar with the transactions who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. However, the Jamaica Observer understands that the deals, at least one which could be completed “as soon as this week”, are expected to raise a total of $7 billion for the 150-year-old company and will see it consolidating to focus on its core banking and remittance subsidiaries. Additionally, the JN Financial Group will seek to raise more funds to boost its capital to approximately $12.3 billion, with the company’s management already in discussions with brokers with all funds expected to be in place by early next year. The sources told the Business Observer that the JN Financial Group was forced into the sale of the assets after coming under pressure from the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) to boost its capital adequacy ratio to 15 per cent — five per cent above the statutory requirement — in an effort to improve the buffer it has against losses it has been exposed to in its JN Bank (UK) business. Set up in 2020 to help JN Financial Group circumnavigate the continued loss of correspondent banking relationships critical for its operations overseas, JN Bank (UK) has been operating at a loss since inception with funds channelled from Jamaica to help keep it afloat, a situation which the BOJ expressed concern about in correspondence to the financial group. JN Bank in its audited financials for the year ending March 31, 2024 said “there is already a firm offer” for its JN Bank (UK) business with expectations that the deal will be completed in September 2024. The deal is still the subject of regulatory approval in the UK and the purchaser is said to be an “overseas entity” according to the people who declined to name the investor. That investor is however expected to operate JN Bank (UK) and recapitalize it before changing the name of the entity sometime next year. The JN Financial Group invested approximately £64 million to establish and capitalize the bank, which is the first licensed bank in the United Kingdom to be owned by a Caribbean entity. The JN Financial Group has impaired some of its investment in the UK bank and will continue to monitor its operations going forward. JN Bank (UK) has assets of approximately £350 million as at March 2024. Since its launch, the bank has been rated as “excellent” by the consumer review site, TrustPilot, and received an award from the British Bankers’ Association. As for the two other entities up for sale, the Business Observer was told that JNGI is to be acquired by British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) with JN Financial Group to act as an agent for the insurer. Most of its staff is expected to be made redundant. The staff were told about the sale on Tuesday. JNGI has been incurring substantial losses on its motor book with total losses in that company booked at over $450 million in 2023. The other entity, JN Fund Managers is to be sold to an unnamed entity at the moment, but the people told the Business Observer that JN Financial Group is hoping that it will be able to strike a deal that will see it keeping a stake in the entity. This company has racked up losses amounting to $521 million in the last financial year. Like other entities, JN Fund Managers invested in Niquan Energy Ltd — a start-up energy project in Trinidad & Tobago — which it loaned money through a bond, but with Niquan facing difficulties meeting its obligations to bondholders, the company has suffered losses. The company is however working to find solutions to recover as much of the investment as possible. Still, while JN Financial Group is looking to divest the three entities, it is also planning expansion of its slimmer business line which will now involve its JN Bank, JN Life Insurance and JN Money Services, its remittance business. It is preparing to add branches in a further four to five states in the United States of America and to strengthen its services to Guyana and Honduras, as well as return to offering services to Ghana from the UK. This expansion is to be financed from the proceeds of the sale of the three business units. Of the $7 billion expected from the sale, JN Financial Group will allocate $2.5 billion to meet the requirements of the BOJ to improve its capital adequacy ratio to 15 per cent by March 2025 with the other $4.5 billion to expand the remittance business. The JN Financial Group and its member companies have been facing various challenges since 2020. The challenges include the COVID-19 pandemic itself; a series of interest rate increases by the central bank and globally; fair value adjustments on some assets; increased operational costs due to inflation; a substantial increase in the cost of regulatory compliance; cybersecurity costs; and the need to provide capital support to three subsidiaries — JN Bank (UK), JNFM and JNGI. The JN Financial Group has sought to manage these challenges by focusing on its core business, particularly banking and remittances, to create opportunities for greater revenue generation. To this end, the group invested in new business opportunities such as merchant acquiring to offer businesses convenient solutions for accepting payments via credit and debit cards. The ONE JN Passport, which it launched recently is a unique customer onboarding application that enables convenient access

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban government is keen to join the BRICS economic forum, a spokesman said on Tuesday ahead of the group’s summit in Russia. The summit of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet on October 22-24 in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan. “Countries with major resources and the world’s biggest economies are associated with the BRICS forum, especially Russia, India, and China,” said Hamdullah Fitrat, a government deputy spokesman. “Currently, we have good economic ties and commercial exchanges with them. We are keen to expand our relations and participate in the economic forums of the BRICS,” he said.The Taliban authorities have not been officially recognised by any country but have growing relations with founding BRICS nations including China and Russia. The group, which has recently expanded by including Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia, has not publicly reacted to the Taliban government’s comments. A spokesman for the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP on Wednesday that they have “no information so far” about an invitation to the event. Both Moscow and Beijing have expressed their readiness to invest in commercial projects in Afghanistan and to cooperate with Taliban authorities in its fight against Islamic State Khorasan, the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan branch.

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has sustained a thigh injury ahead of this weekend’s La Liga derby with Atletico, his club said on Wednesday. The French superstar was taken off during the 3-2 win over Alaves on Tuesday and appeared to be suffering some discomfort. Spanish media suggest Mbappe will miss around three weeks injured. “Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid’s medical services on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg,” said the Spanish champions in a statement. Mbappe scored a superb goal in the thriller at the Santiago Bernabeu with Alaves and has netted five times this season in seven league appearances. Asked about Mbappe’s condition after the game, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “He’s fine, he’s fine, a little overloaded, he asked me for the change to avoid problems.” Madrid, a point behind leaders Barcelona ahead of the Catalans’ match on Wednesday against Getafe, visit the Metropolitano stadium on Sunday to face rivals Atletico. Los Blancos have not been beaten in La Liga for 39 games, since a defeat at Atletico a year ago. The striker is also set to miss the visit to Lille in the Champions League next week and potentially October’s Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium with France. Mbappe joined Real Madrid this summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, fulfilling a long-held dream. The 25-year-old hit his stride in recent matches after taking a few games to find his footing in the Spanish capital. Mbappe has seven goals in nine appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, scoring in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Atalanta in August and on his Champions League debut.

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned businesses in comments aired Wednesday that he will “not tolerate” a long-term failure to train workers in the UK, as part of his strategy to bring down migration. Net migration levels — the difference between those coming to the country and those leaving — have risen in recent years, reaching a record 764,000 people in 2022. Last year it was 685,000, driven by non-EU citizens. Immigration has been a key political issue in the UK since 2016, when Britons voted to leave the European Union in a referendum. Brexit, which happened in 2020, ended the automatic right for EU nationals to live and work in the UK, and has contributed to staffing problems in a number of sectors. Starmer said if firms needed construction or care workers — two of the sectors worst hit by shortages — the government would not adopt an “anti-business” stance and refuse. “But I’m not going to tolerate this year after year after year,” he told BBC radio in comments broadcast Wednesday. His government is under pressure to bring down migration — both the number of undocumented migrants arriving in boats on England’s southern coast and those arriving with employment visas. New measures, also announced after Starmer’s speech “to cut historically high levels of net migration”, would include yearly skills shortages assessments and a strengthening of rules around visa sponsorship. “Sectors most reliant on overseas workers will be targeted to ensure they are addressing their failure to invest in skills here in the UK,” a government statement said. Starmer said he had been struck by the number of visa applications for jobs involving skills for which the number of apprenticeships in the UK had dropped. “That signals to me that something is going fundamentally wrong,” he added in the interview recorded Tuesday after his first speech to a Labour party conference as prime minister. “I want to see a skills strategy that makes sure we’re less reliant on migration, that we’ve got the right skills we need in this country,” he said. Stressing that he was not diminishing the “contribution that migration makes to our economy, to our public services” Starmer told business leaders many young people had been “let down” by a lack of training opportunities.

Kayodi Satchell accepts guilt in 2023 murder of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe DENTAL assistant Kayodi Satchell, after holding out for just over a year since being arrested and charged in connection with the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe, pleaded guilty to the crime on Tuesday in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston. On June 8 last year, Rowe was abducted from Braeton Primary School in Portmore, St Catherine. She was later found on Roosevelt Avenue in St Andrew with her throat slashed. She died two days later at Bustamante Hospital for Children and was buried on July 23 last year. Satchell was charged the following month. Upon learning of Satchell’s guilty plea, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a statement congratulating the police for the work they put into the case. Holness said that Jamaica cannot countenance or tolerate such vicious attacks on children. “After the tragic killing of Danielle, I had advised the then police commissioner that all necessary investigative resources should be mobilised to bring the perpetrator to justice. I commend the police for conducting a thorough investigation and compiling strong evidence which led to the perpetrator being taken into custody and pleading guilty,” the prime minister said. “My Government remains committed to reducing incidents of violent crimes, particularly against our nation’s children. Upon my return to the island from the UN this [Tuesday] afternoon I was briefed by the commissioner that there is an approximately 17.8 per cent reduction in murders year to date. We will continue to aggressively pursue further significant reductions in murders,” added Holness. In May this year, the Jamaica Observer reported that Rowe’s mother, Sudiene Mason, had endured almost one year of pain and it didn’t make things any easier for her when she had to look at Satchell in court on May 16 when her daughter would have turned nine. Mason, along with Rowe’s elder sister, wore blue shirts with images of her to honour her on what would have been a special day had she not been robbed from the family. They also brought balloons with them, which they had planned to place on Danielle’s grave at Dovecot Memorial Park and Crematorium. “You wouldn’t understand how I feel. I don’t even know how to answer that question about how I felt when I looked at her [the alleged killer] in court,” Mason said then.

JPS customers paying one per cent more to cover for people stealing electricity JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPS) customers have been hit with an almost one per cent increase in their bills since last year to cover electricity illegally extracted from the company. Last year JPS lost just over US$28 million ($4.3 billion) through electricity theft. This pushed the amount paid by legitimate customers to cover electricity theft from 17 per cent to 17.91 per cent. This was revealed on Tuesday by minister with responsibility for electricity Daryl Vaz, who admitted that the illegal extraction of power from JPS was on the increase. Vaz was responding to questions from his Opposition counterpart Phillip Paulwell during the sitting of the House of Representatives. Asked to state the total amount of technical and non-technical losses experienced by JPS, Vaz said, “In the documentation provided by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), it was outlined that in 2023 the Jamaica Public Service Company experienced technical losses amounting to 7.67 per cent and non-technical losses of 17.91 per cent.” Non-technical losses are those related to electricity theft and the JPS licence allows the company to recoup this from its paying customers. When asked to state the dollar value and percentage of electricity that is stolen from the JPS distribution system, Vaz again turned to documentation provided by the OUR for 2023. “The dollar value of electricity stolen from the JPS distribution system was US$28,197,648.00, representing 19.82 per cent of the total electricity distributed,” said Vaz as he noted that technical and non-technical losses by JPS are paid for by its paying customers. Vaz pointed out that these costs are reflected as part of customers’ electricity billing cycle under technical and non-technical losses. He noted that under technical losses JPS customers cover the extra fuel costs through that charge on their bills. “The extra operational and maintenance expenses resulting from technical losses are included in the non-fuel portion of the bill,” said Vaz. In the case of the non-technical losses, Vaz said these are recouped by JPS through the energy and demand charges, which are adjusted annually based on the company’s performance in the previous year. Responding to the question as to what is being done to reduce the amount of electricity that is stolen, Vaz said his ministry is in the process of securing the Cabinet’s position and directive to address and implement strategies aimed at tackling this problem. He said that plan will be structured around four key pillars designed to reduce electricity theft at the macro level. According to Vaz, the four pillars are: * Empowerment: Focusing on providing communities with the tools and resources they need to acquire legal electricity, making it more accessible and affordable for all. * Enforcement: Strengthening legislation and regulations to effectively deter electricity theft, with an emphasis on improving monitoring and penalties for non-compliance. * Energy efficiency: Encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances and removing access to inefficient lighting like incandescent bulbs to reduce overall electricity demand. * Communication: Building stronger relationships and trust between key stakeholders, with the goal of shifting the culture away from non-payment and illegal usage towards responsibility and payment compliance. Vaz explained that at the micro level the energy ministry plans to undertake detailed analytical assessments to accurately quantify non-technical losses at the medium voltage feeder level, targeting specific communities with historically high non-technical losses. “This data will inform tailored technical solutions specific for each high-loss area, allowing for a more precise and effective reduction of electricity theft,” said Vaz. In follow-up questions, Paulwell asked the minister if he was aware of a private member’s motion which he tabled in the House of Representatives with recommendations as to how to reduce electricity theft. When Vaz said he was unaware and asked to be provided with a copy so they could discuss it, Paulwell told him the document was tabled nearly three-and-half years ago and was item number eight on the order paper. Paulwell pointed out that, while there was an increase in the amount JPS customers have to pay because of the increase in electricity theft, the company was, at the same time, making bigger profits. The Opposition spokesman sought answers as to what is being done by JPS to lower the amount of theft that the consumer has to pay for. Vaz conceded that, based on the current licence, JPS recovers everything from the consumer. “So the fact of the matter is, whether they have a very aggressive anti-theft programme in place or not it makes no difference to their bottom line; the fact of the matter is that this is something that requires not only JPS but all of the stakeholders, including the Government, to come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with non-technical losses, which in effect is theft,” said Vaz. He told the House that the Government is working with the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank to come up with solutions, but this will require significant sums. “There is a commitment to do so, it’s a matter of finding the fiscal space,” said Vaz.

Shenseea completes first lead tour, looks forward to birthday bash Saturday Billboard-charting dancehall artiste Shenseea recently completed her first headlining tour of North America. The trek saw her making stops in multiple cities across the United States and Canada. “It started out in Chicago and ended in Los Angeles. We also went to Montreal and Toronto in Canada. I also did Houston and Dallas in Texas for the very first time, which was pretty exciting. I didn’t even know that many people would have turned up… if I’m being honest, because Texas is kinda far out. We also did Miami and New York. I really enjoyed myself,” Shenseea told the Jamaica Observer on Monday. She said mixed audiences were in attendance at the shows and she also shared the stage with guests, including Lola Brooke, Byron Messia, among others. “We had a mixed audience comprising Caucasians, Haitians, Jamaicans of course, African Americans, and even people from Dominican Republic. Let me tell you, one thing I know when you see dem big artiste deh a perform pon di stage like the Beyonce’s, it nuh easy. To be given a full show and not just jumping up and down… and now I’m looking to grow. I’ve been running on the treadmill just to keep up my stamina on stage when I’m dancing. I’m also incorporating more choreography in my performances, so people can feel like it’s a full-on show. I want to give you guys more because its what you deserve,” Shenseea shared. Now back on the island, Shenseea is looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her first-ever birthday festival, which takes place this Friday, September 27 at Plantation Cove in St Ann. Asked what she is looking forward to most, Shenseea said: “Just to be surrounded and being celebrated, because a cyaan the age, ‘cause mi a go up inna age, and mi nuh like it not one bit. But I’m definitely looking forward to the love, because its my very first party and every one of my fans are invited.” Shenseea’s birthday celebration will feature musical juggling by DJ Black Boi, DJ Scrappy, OB Khalibah, DJ Mac and DJ Baba, DJ Lollipop, DJ Shukkle Bus, Bishop Escobar and Fyahman. Wurl Fresh will host the event, which, according to Shenseea, will also feature guest performances. Shenseea When pressed to reveal who some of her guest performers will be, Shenseea said: “No sah, yuh mad, me weh love surprises weh unu neva see coming yet. You have to come and enjoy yuhself. Mi nervous mi nuh know if people ago come or if it ago rain.” In May, Shenseea’s sophomore album Never Gets Late Here debuted at #4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. It is the follow-up to Alpha, which was released two years before. Asked how she has grown in between projects, the Hit and Run artiste said: “I understand the business more. Before, it was just a craft and just having fun. Now I’m more strategic, I’m more authentic, whereas I’m not trying to bite somebody’s sound like a culture vulture. No, we’re gonna collaborate and spread unity through the music. My status has grown, my hard work has been recognised, and I’m so content and happy with myself.” Shenseea is currently riding the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and Rhythmic Top 40 charts with the song Work Me Out, which features Wizkid. “Me and Wizkid worked before on his last album and I thought… who better to use on this Afrobeats-inspired track than Wizkid himself. He’s done great things, and I feel like he bust the doors open for all Africans in America, so I give him all his flowers. It was pretty easy working with him, he’s very chilled and down to earth,” Shenseea disclosed. Her latest single Dating Szn (Options) is produced by Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-Quee, and it samples TLC’s 1999 hit No Scrubs. “No Scrubs is one of my absolute favourite song because of the content. It’s speaking about women and their independence, their confidence, and that’s what I am about — empowering women. For them to clear the sample for me was such a big thing,” said Shenseea. Last Friday, Shenseea’s 2019 hit Shenyeng Anthem was certified silver for sales exceeding 200,000 units in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry. Prior to this achievement, Shenseea earned a gold certification in Canada for the song Blessed, which features Tyga.

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Japan’s remote Izu Islands on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey said, prompting local weather authorities to issue a tsunami warning. A one-metre (3.3-inch) tsunami could be expected at Izu Islands by 8:30 am (2330 GMT) and Ogasawara Islands by 9:00 am (0000 GMT), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Island residents told national broadcaster NHK that they did not feel the earthquake. Japan sits on top of four major tectonic plates and experiences around 1,500 quakes every year, most of them minor. The impact is generally contained even with larger tremors thanks to advanced building techniques and well-practised emergency procedures.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A flash flood watch remains in effect for low-lying and flood-prone areas of southern and northwestern parishes until 5:00 pm on Tuesday. All other parishes have also been cautioned to expect flooding as a large area of disturbed weather that has been affecting the island since Saturday night, continues to produce showers and thunderstorms. In its latest advisory on Monday night, the Meteorological Service said the system which is now known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, will continue to move away from the island tomorrow, however, moderate to heavy showers will continue increasing the chances of flash flooding across the island. Fishers and other marine interest are being warned to continue exercising caution as sea conditions continue to deteriorate. The Met Service says it will continue to monitor this system.

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — A South Korean man has been arrested after confessing to murdering his girlfriend 16 years ago and entombing her body on his balcony under a layer of cement, police told AFP on Tuesday. The man, who is now in his 50s, was charged with murdering the woman in October 2008 during an argument, according to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police and Geoje Police Station. He fatally struck the woman with a blunt object then placed her body in a large travel bag, police said. He then hid the body on his balcony by stacking bricks and pouring on a 10-centimetre (four-inch) layer of cement. The woman wasn’t reported missing until three years later, as she was not in contact with her own family. During a 2011 missing person inquiry, the man told police they had “broken up” and the case remained unsolved due to a lack of evidence. A police official told reporters that the body was not discovered earlier as it had been fitted into the small balcony space, and that the room was “virtually empty since 2016”. That year, the perpetrator was arrested for drug use, and the landlord said the property was used for storage space. The body was found last month after a worker who was searching for water leaks found the travel bag. Upon inspection, police found the woman’s body “preserved to some extent”. “The body hadn’t completely decomposed to bones, allowing us to identify her using fingerprints,” police said. The man was brought in for questioning and eventually confessed to the murder. A police official from Gyeongnam Provincial Police told AFP the investigation and questioning is nearly over and the man will be “sent to prosecution soon”.

INDIANA, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump dismissed early voting Monday as “stupid” but nevertheless encouraged voters in Pennsylvania to cast ballots as soon as possible, as he vowed if elected United States (US) president to repel a migrant “invasion” of the battleground state. “If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing. It’s very simple,” he said of what is perhaps the biggest prize among the swing states likely to determine whether Trump or Democrat Kamala Harris wins the White House on November 5. “Go out, make a plan to vote early, vote absentee or vote in-person on election day,” he said. Trump reminded the crowd in the town of Indiana, in western Pennsylvania, that early voting in the state rolls out over the next two weeks. “You can start right away, you know that right? Now we have this stupid stuff where you can vote 45 days early,” Trump said, as he again floated suspicions about early voting in 2020, when he lost Pennsylvania and the election to Joe Biden. “I wonder what the hell happens during that 45 (days),” he said. “What happened the last time was disgraceful, including right here. But we’re not going to let it happen again.” Trump has routinely said on the campaign trail he prefers one-day voting. But in a bid to neutralise the advantage Democrats have had in recent elections with early voting, his campaign has been encouraging Republicans to cast ballots before election day. Trump also spent much of his rambling, 90-minute address on immigration, the hot-button issue around which he has based his campaign. He reprised his dark imagery of “murderers” and other “evil” migrants pouring across the border and taking over communities. “If Kamala Harris wins this election, she will flood Pennsylvania’s cities and towns with illegal migrants from all over the world, and Pennsylvania will never be the same,” he claimed. “We’ll end the invasion of small-town Pennsylvania and we will end the destruction of America.” Trump portrayed rival Harris, the current vice president, as the instigator of a migrant crisis, saying she “flies in thousands and thousands of migrants from the most dangerous places on Earth” into American communities. He mentioned Springfield, the Ohio city where he and other Republicans have repeated unfounded and racist claims that Haitian immigrants there have been eating residents’ cats and dogs, and also singled out Charleroi, a Pennsylvania town of 4,000 people which he falsely claimed has seen a 2,000 per cent increase in population in recent years. US media have reported that the town’s population has in fact grown by 700-2,000 new immigrant residents. Trump also touched on another issue important to Pennsylvania voters: energy, and more specifically fracking, a form of natural gas extraction that Harris once opposed, but now says she supports. “If anybody here believes that she will let your industry continue, like fracking, you should immediately go to a psychiatrist and have your head examined,” Trump said, to cheers.

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States plans to donate one million doses of the mpox vaccine to African nations facing an epidemic of the virus, President Joe Biden said Tuesday. An international emergency was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month after the surge in cases of a new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to nearby countries. “We must now move quickly to face (the) mpox outbreak in Africa,” Biden told the UN General Assembly in New York. “We are ready to commit US$500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate one million doses of mpox vaccine, now.” Biden called on others to match the pledge and “make this a billion-dollar commitment to the people of Africa”. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact. It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly. A total of 25,093 suspected mpox cases and 723 deaths were reported across the African continent between January and September 8, according to WHO.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — At least two people died after Hurricane John slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast overnight, authorities reported Tuesday, with the cyclone since downgraded to a tropical storm and expected to weaken further. Forecasters nevertheless warned of strong rains and flash floods inundating the coast for the next few days. “Two people were reported dead due to a landslide in their home” in the southern city of Tlacoachistlahuaca, Evelyn Salgado, the governor of the Mexican state of Guerrero, told a press conference. The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of intense rainfall in coastal areas of southwest Mexico this week. “This heavy rainfall will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides” in the southern states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero. Authorities had warned residents to seek shelter as strong winds and rain battered beaches ahead of John making landfall near Marquelia in Guerrero. The NHC said maximum sustained winds weakened to around 50 miles (85 kilometres) per hour — after earlier topping 120 mph —  according to a 1200 GMT update. “Additional rapid weakening is anticipated, and John is expected to become a tropical depression later today,” the NHC said. Through Thursday, John was forecast to produce up to 15 inches of rain in parts of Chiapas, and nearly double that in areas of Oaxaca and Guerrero, it said. “John is producing extraordinary rains (greater than 250 mm) (9.8 inches) in Oaxaca and Guerrero; torrential rains in Chiapas,” the National Civil Protection agency said in a post on X early Tuesday. The agency had issued a red alert on Monday, telling people to stay indoors and keep away from windows. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told his morning press conference that John “was a strong phenomenon, with a lot of rain”. He had earlier urged people living along the affected coastline to be prepared. “Seek higher ground, protect yourselves and do not forget that the most important thing is life; material things are replaceable,” he wrote on X. Authorities in Oaxaca said Monday that they were opening temporary shelters, suspending school classes, closing beaches and mobilizing machinery in case needed to clear roads. School classes in Guerrero were also cancelled on Tuesday, the state education agency said on X. The international airport in the tourist resort of Puerto Escondido suspended all flights. In Guerrero, authorities said around 300 temporary shelters were ready if needed. Restaurant workers were seen bringing furniture in from beaches, while fishermen returned to shore. Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November. In October last year, Hurricane Otis, a scale-topping Category 5 storm, left a trail of destruction and several dozen people dead after slamming into the beachside city of Acapulco in Guerrero. Otis rapidly intensified within hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, taking authorities by surprise.

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Gangs and guns are among the major factors fuelling crime in Montego Bay, according to the findings of a study undertaken by University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) on behalf of Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI). “The primary cause of crime was identified as gang recruitment and the prevalence of guns,” MBCCI President Oral Heaven told the Jamaica Observer in a sneak peek at the results. The analysis looked at the period between 2018 and 2022, a follow-up to a previous study conducted by The University of the West Indies in the years up to the 2017. “The study shows that the cause of crime is easy access to guns, poor family values, gangs actively recruiting young people, conflict between people, and lack of education,” said Heaven. He said the 102-page report was completed following face-to-face surveys and responses from 113 online participants. While 33 per cent of those surveyed said they had not experienced crime, those who said their communities had been impacted listed incidents of robbery, murder and burglary as the top three on their list. Robberies were at 11.3 per cent, murders at 10.4 per cent and burglary at 9.6 per cent. Scamming was fourth on the list. “It is interesting to note that while few people were the victims of scamming, more respondents were aware of the act of scamming taking place within their communities. So, they are aware of it but they were not victims,” Heaven noted. The next step is to enter into private-public partnerships to implement recommendations coming out of the study. Suggestions include implementation of a multi-stakeholder approach, boosting trust between the police and citizens, the introduction of value-based social intervention, the implementation of social support systems specifically for children, and increased budgetary allocation for St James policing activities. “When we have these recommendations and solutions we don’t just throw them down and leave them. The onus is on us as citizens to have public-private partnerships and the whole joint agencies coming together to ensure everything is involved. Proper street vending, proper town planning, all of those things contribute to a reduction [in crime]. If we do those things how we are supposed to do it, it will result in the reduction in crime,” Heaven said. “Having sensible green areas, seating areas; just the matter of how you dispose [of] your garbage; how your buildings look on St James Street; taking pride back in yourself in our community, in our surroundings, that too will result in the reduction of criminal activity. So when you look at everything you can’t pull [only] one thing out. Everything must work together if we are going to take this thing by the horns and move forward,” he added. The study, which had a $1-million price tag, was carried out by researchers in an effort to determine the effects of crime on the local business community and residents, the financial costs being incurred, and measures that can be implemented to mitigate the scourge. Over the years St James has gained notoriety as being the murder capital of Jamaica. This year, however, the parish has seen a steady decline in killings. From January 1 to September 21 it recorded a 29.6 per cent reduction in murders over the corresponding period last year. Up to September 21 this year the parish recorded 100 murders, 42 less than the 142 recorded over the comparable period last year.

THE State regulator, Financial Services Commission (FSC), has indicated that the troubled Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) is poised to pay out more than US$30 million ($4.7 billion) to its clients who have been waiting more than one year to collect on their investments. In a release on Monday, FSC said based on the latest information provided by the SSL trustees, the company is advanced in its plans to make a payout to its clients. The FSC said the payout will be primarily from the proceeds of the sale of SSL’s international securities client portfolio, approximately valued in excess of US$30 million. According to the regulatory agency, it continues its active regulation of SSL with a focus on ensuring that the company strictly adheres to the requirements set forth in the Securities Act. “The FSC has issued directions to SSL, dated July 31, 2024, which require SSL to provide periodic updates. These directions are designed to enforce transparency and accountability during the winding-up process of SSL. A key aspect of these directions is the requirement for SSL to provide the FSC with periodic updates on, among other things, the status of payouts to clients,” said the regulatory agency. FSC said to ensure full compliance with the directions, it will be closely monitoring SSL’s actions throughout this process. The regulator added that it has taken steps to safeguard the interests of SSL’s clients and maintain the integrity of the financial system, as part of its ongoing supervision. “The FSC remains resolute in its mission to facilitate the fair treatment of SSL investors. This vigilant oversight is crucial to ensuring that SSL meets its obligations to clients in a timely and transparent manner, in alignment with the legal and regulatory framework established by the Securities Act,” said FSC Executive Director Lieutenant Colonel Keron Burrell. The regulator said it continues to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the pursuit and successful completion of thorough investigations regarding any improprieties at SSL. “The commission assures all stakeholders that it is dedicated to maintaining transparency and accountability throughout this process and will provide further updates as necessary,” added Burrell. SSL has been embroiled in a fraud scandal since January 2023 which has seen multiple lawsuits and court cases to determine control of the firm. The FSC assumed temporary management of SSL but lost control at the end of May when Justice David Batts ruled in favour of Caydion Campbell who was appointed trustee of SSL by its former board of directors. The matter is scheduled to return to court this week.

Mass murderer’s bid for sentence reduction hits legal hurdle An attempt by convicted murderer Rushane Barnett to appeal the sentence he was handed for knifing his cousin Kimesha Wright and her four children to death at their Cocoa Piece, Chapelton, Clarendon residence in June 2022 is in jeopardy. Barnett, who was sentenced by Supreme Court judge Justice Leighton Pusey in October 2022 to five concurrent life sentences, but is, in effect, only serving 61 years and eight months in prison before being eligible for parole, had filed a notice of appeal on the basis that his sentence was extreme. Barnett is of the opinion that he should have benefited from discounts during the sentencing since he had pleaded guilty early in the process. The Trelawny native was 22 years old at the time of the offences and will not be eligible for parole before his 85th birthday. But Monday, attorney Kemar Robinson who was assigned to handle the case, told the panel of Appeal Court judges — comprising Justices Frank Williams, Jennifer Straw and Evan Brown — that having reviewed the record of the proceedings as presided over by Justice Pusey, he found that Barnett had no recourse in law to challenge the judge’s decision. “In reviewing the transcript I found no basis on which I can make submissions on the grounds filed by the appellant,” Robinson told the court. “At the end of it I formed the view that the learned trial judge followed the proper sentencing exercise as prescribed by the various authorities (case law) and the sentencing guidelines and, for the most part, the procedure is unassailable,” Robinson told the judges. “In those circumstances I will not be in a position to challenge the sentencing [to show that it is manifestly excessive],” Robinson told the court while making it clear that the convicted man had filed the notice of appeal on his own without the benefit of any legal advice. The attorney said he has already informed Barnett of his finding. The Appeal Court panel will later this week, in the interest of transparency, hear submissions from the Crown on the position arrived at by Robinson. On Monday, Justice Williams, who heads the panel, said after the submissions are heard the panel will determine “what is the best way to deal with this matter”. The victims — Wright and her children Kimanda Smith, 15; Sharalee Smith, 12; Rafaella Smith, 5; and 23-month-old Kishawn Henry Jr — were discovered inside their house with chop wounds and their throats slashed. According to Barnett, Wright — who operated a shop at the premises where she lived — had disrespected him in the days before the murders. He claimed that a customer had come to the premises and he served the customer but his cousin was upset and told him he was never to serve her customers and grabbed the cash from his hand and splashed water in his face. He said he was offended from that instant. A subsequent clash with his cousin, he said, led to the stabbings. After committing the murders Barnett fled to Wilson Run in Trelawny where he was apprehended. He was charged three days later, based on a caution statement he gave to the police. Barnett narrowly escaped the death penalty after he pleaded guilty to the murders, resulting in the Crown withdrawing the initial notice. Justice Pusey, in his summation before handing down the sentences, had expressed “eternal hope” that Barnett’s name be forgotten and his victims’ be immortalised. Justice Pusey, who said he “struggled for adjectives” to describe Barnett’s “direct viciousness”, declared, “What we need to remember in this matter are the persons who lost their lives, and I have deliberately been mentioning their names continuously. I have also been deliberate in not mentioning the name of the accused man because it is my eternal hope that we will forget his name, although it seems as if his name has [gone] wide and abroad.” In handing down the sentences the judge — who said he deliberately avoided mentioning the details of the injuries of the five deceased, given the presence of their family members in court — said, “This is a crime for which adjectives and descriptions were insufficient and which shocked and horrified a nation, even in this country which has unfortunately gotten too used to murder.” Justice Pusey, ahead of directly addressing Barnett, said he “found instructive” a note by one of the officials that Barnett — who appeared to be superficially charming, deceitful, lacking in empathy and remorse at the time of the evaluation — had expressed the desire to be given oral medication, placed in a single cell, and to remain in custody for a year before being released on the current charge. The judge said that the crimes fell under “the most serious category” recognised in law and told the court that in arriving at the sentence he took note of the report of a forensic psychiatrist who, after assessing Barnett, said he had no major mental illness but that he “displayed features which suggest that he has an antisocial personality disorder”. According to the doctor, he found that Barnett understood the nature of the offence but was not acting under any abnormality of mind when he committed the offence. He said although Barnett indicated that he heard voices, his examination of him did not uncover any signs of delusion in his history. He further said Barnett “appeared eager to deflect responsibility for the alleged offence to his cousin’s mother by claiming that she caused Obeah to be on him”. Barnett did not benefit from a discount in his sentence because of his guilty plea, given the circumstances of the particular case, Justice Pusey said. While declaring that the matter “approached the category of one that could attract the death penalty”, Justice Pusey said, “We really have no precedence in our annals and I daresay, I hope we have none after today.” The judge said the case of Jeffery

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has expressed devastation following the death of referee Wilverglen Lamey, who collapsed and died on Saturday while officiating a game. The 48-year-old referee had been a dedicated servant of the game for many years, officiating at all levels of local football. In a statement on Saturday, JFF President Michael Ricketts said, “Mr Lamey was a familiar face in matches throughout the country. He was always ready to officiate in the middle for just about any competition. He served quietly and respectfully, ensuring the games were conducted without disrepute. Sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the referee fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) — Armed and masked Israeli forces raided the office of global news channel Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank on Sunday and issued a 45-day closure order. It was the latest salvo in a long-running feud between the Arab broadcaster and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government which has worsened during the war in Gaza. Since the war began on October 7 when Hamas Palestinian militants attacked Israel, Al Jazeera has aired continuous on-the-ground reporting on the effects of Israel’s military campaign. Israel’s military has repeatedly accused journalists from the Qatar-based network of links to Hamas or its ally Islamic Jihad. Al Jazeera has fiercely denied these accusations and said Israel systematically targets its employees in the Gaza Strip. Four Al Jazeera journalists have been killed since the war in Gaza began, and the network’s office in the territory has been bombed. Israel’s military said on Sunday the Ramallah office was closed because it was “used to incite terror” and “support terrorist activities”, and because Al Jazeera’s broadcasts endangered Israel’s security. “The channel’s offices have been sealed and its equipment has been confiscated,” a military statement said. Al Jazeera called the Israeli raid “a criminal act” and an attack on press freedom. In a conversation during the raid broadcast live on the network, an Israeli soldier told Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau chief Walid al-Omari there was a court ruling to close down the office for 45 days. “I ask you to take all the cameras and leave the office at this moment,” the soldier is seen as saying in the footage. “Targeting journalists this way always aims to erase the truth and prevent people from hearing the truth,” Omari said. The Ramallah-based Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the Israeli operation as “a flagrant violation” of press freedom. Shuttering the Al Jazeera office “confirms the (Israeli) occupation’s efforts to disrupt the work of the media in conveying the occupation’s violations against the Palestinian people,” said Mohammed Abu al-Rub, director of the government media office for the Palestinian Authority which has partial administrative control in the West Bank.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of National Security’s ‘Shoot Hoops, Not Guns’ basketball initiative’ is being hailed by State Minister Juliet Cuthbert Flynn as an effective crime prevention strategy. This engagement is being undertaken in partnership with the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) and the University of Technology Jamaica (UTech), with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding support. Cuthbert Flynn, who noted that the initiative targets mindset changes in children towards crime through sports, underscored its importance as an intervention to connect with the younger generation. “We have to find creative ways to really reach persons. We’re in a different time with our kids… they are more creative. They have so many distractions, for example, the internet… so we have to disrupt them mentally,” she said. Cuthbert Flynn said the basketball initiative has had a great impact on the students who have been engaged. “We see our children getting involved and learning how to be team players… I think that is so important… being a team player in anything. I think it’s one way to really get our kids to learn new ways of doing things… how to work with each other, instead of fighting,” she pointed out. The ministry has crisscrossed communities that are in their 34 schools inter-ministerial strategy with the programme. “These are basketball rallies that we have. We’ve been to Mountain View Primary, [and] schools in Norman Gardens [and] Whitfield Town. People mention, sometimes, [that] we don’t do enough to tackle crime prevention. But one way to do so is crime prevention from a young age,” Cuthbert Flynn stated. She said the ministry is keen on ensuring they are not just refurbishing police stations and securing Jamaica’s borders but also engaging in interventions to “prevent children and families from getting involved [in crime].” “The best way to do this is to get into the various communities, especially ones in the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs), and involve the children in these extracurricular activities where we have the music, we have the sport… especially basketball,” Cuthbert Flynn stated. The state minister pointed out that for youngsters unfamiliar with basketball, the initiative provides “an avenue for our children to learn a new game”. Since 2023, over 190 students have been engaged under the ‘Shoot Hoops, Not Guns’ initiative. It forms part of a multifaceted Government approach to tackling crime and violence in schools, and communities where ZOSOs have been established. — JIS

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against 10-man Arsenal in a bad-tempered clash between the two favourites for the Premier League title on Sunday. Arsenal played the entire second half a man down after Leandro Trossard was sent off but were seconds away from inflicting City’s first home defeat since November 2022. A draw is enough for City to retake top spot, two points clear of Arsenal in fourth. Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal had given Pep Guardiola’s men the perfect start. Arsenal turned the game around thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s wonder strike and another set-piece header from Gabriel Magalhaes. The Gunners lost Trossard for a second booking just before half-time. However, Mikel Arteta’s men produced a stunning rearguard action to hold out until the final seconds when Stones bundled in after Arsenal failed to clear a corner. The powder keg for an explosive encounter was lit within the first few seconds when Kai Havertz charged into Rodri to leave the Spaniard needing treatment. Guardiola said City had been handed an advantage by having an extra day’s rest and not travelling for their Champions League draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday. Arsenal, by contrast, were in Italy on Thursday for their 0-0 stalemate against Atalanta. City burst out of the traps to try and make their fresher legs count and got an early reward. Haaland had not even managed a single shot on target in the two league meetings between the sides last season as Arsenal kept two clean sheets against the champions. But the Norwegian is in unstoppable form and took just nine minutes to score his 10th goal of the season and bring up his century in 105 games for City. Savinho’s through ball split the Arsenal defence and Haaland coolly prodded past the onrushing David Raya. Ilkay Gundogan then curled a free-kick off the post. MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against 10-man Arsenal in a bad-tempered clash between the two favourites for the Premier League title on Sunday. Arsenal played the entire second half a man down after Leandro Trossard was sent off but were seconds away from inflicting City’s first home defeat since November 2022. A draw is enough for City to retake top spot, two points clear of Arsenal in fourth. Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal had given Pep Guardiola’s men the perfect start. Arsenal turned the game around thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s wonder strike and another set-piece header from Gabriel Magalhaes. The Gunners lost Trossard for a second booking just before half-time. However, Mikel Arteta’s men produced a stunning rearguard action to hold out until the final seconds when Stones bundled in after Arsenal failed to clear a corner. The powder keg for an explosive encounter was lit within the first few seconds when Kai Havertz charged into Rodri to leave the Spaniard needing treatment. Guardiola said City had been handed an advantage by having an extra day’s rest and not travelling for their Champions League draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday. Arsenal, by contrast, were in Italy on Thursday for their 0-0 stalemate against Atalanta. City burst out of the traps to try and make their fresher legs count and got an early reward. Haaland had not even managed a single shot on target in the two league meetings between the sides last season as Arsenal kept two clean sheets against the champions. But the Norwegian is in unstoppable form and took just nine minutes to score his 10th goal of the season and bring up his century in 105 games for City. Savinho’s through ball split the Arsenal defence and Haaland coolly prodded past the onrushing David Raya. Ilkay Gundogan then curled a free-kick off the post.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has made an urgent call for G20 nations to invest in capacity building for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are heavily reliant on tourism. Minister Bartlett made the call on Friday while speaking at the G20 and UN Tourism side event in the margins of the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Belém, Brazil. The meeting was staged between September 19-20, 2024 under the theme “Tourism: Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”. Highlighting the stark economic disparity where G20 nations generate nearly $1.5 trillion in tourism revenue compared to just $35 billion for SIDS, he called for collaborative efforts to enhance sustainable tourism practices, improve travel facilitation, and support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “By fostering eco-tourism and investing in cultural heritage, we can ensure that these beautiful islands not only attract global visitors but also thrive economically,” Bartlett said. He also reiterated his appeal for the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Fund to help SIDS build their capacity for sustainability and innovation in the face of climate change and external shocks. Meanwhile, the minister also discussed ways to tap into the lucrative Indian travel market with India’s Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as Jamaica seeks to diversify its markets.