KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cavalier SC started the defense of their Jamaica Premier League title with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Portmore United at Sabina Park on Sunday. Portmore United had beaten Cavalier SC twice last year and took the lead in the 19th minute through Tarick Ximines but Jalmaro Calvin equalised in the 25th minute and an own goals by Akeem Mullings in the 60th minute secured the points. Meanwhile, Vere United bounced back from their opening game loss to Montego Bay United to beat Molynes United 3-1. Roshawn Oldfield opened the scoring for Vere United in the 11th minute but Jeremy Nelson equalised two minutes later. Denzel McKenzie then restored Vere United’s lead in the 25th minute and Romarion Thomas added an insurance goal in time added on at the end of the second half. Promoted Racing United got their first win in the Premier League, edging Dunbeholden FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mikyle Williams in the 40th minute. Racing were beaten 1-0 in their opening game against Waterhouse FC. In the other game, Humble Lion and Tivoli Gardens ended 0-0. -Paul A Reid

Holness tells world leaders Jamaica ready to deliver on UN obligations PRIME Minister Andrew Holness on Saturday told world leaders that Jamaica stands ready to deliver on its obligation to protect the interests of future generations and has already laid the foundation to achieve that goal, even as the country, like other developing states, faces a number of challenges, among them climate change and economic stability. Holness was addressing the United Nations Summit of the Future held at UN headquarters in New York. The September 20-23 summit brings together global leaders to forge a new international consensus on how to account for the interests of future generations in national and global decision-making, and to consolidate these efforts in a ‘Declaration on Future Generations’. Holness said that Jamaica is proud to have co-facilitated the intergovernmental process for the declaration, and expressed appreciation to co-facilitator, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, “for their excellent collaboration during the challenging process”. He said the inclusivity of the summit and its preceding action days, as well as the preparatory processes, “is truly symbolic of the approach that is required to preserve a robust and effective multilateral system with the United Nations at its core”. “It is clear that member states and the UN system cannot chart this path alone. We must leverage the knowledge, expertise, and vigour of civil society, youth, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders, to deliver a better future for this planet and for all its peoples,” the prime minister said. He said that with the adoption of the declaration on Sunday, world leaders will now be able to celebrate a universal realisation that, “even as we address the challenges of today, we have an obligation to protect the interests of future generations and ensure that they will inherit a planet in which they can thrive”. The task now, he said, is for the leaders to translate that enthusiasm into action by giving life to the declaration, which he described as “the first bold step”. He noted that during the consultations, all stakeholders recognised that it was important to not only manifest a lofty intent to take account of the needs and interests of future generations, but to agree to fundamental guiding principles, make far-reaching commitments, and prescribe concrete actions to achieve this end. Additionally, Holness said that, “for governments like mine, this effort will require a whole-of-society collaboration as we seek to embed future-thinking in all our decision-making processes across national and local government”. As such, he said the role of civil society, academia, and the private sector in this endeavour will be critical in developing solutions as well as building and maintaining momentum towards implementation. “In Jamaica, my Government has already begun to invest in anticipatory planning and future-proofing, recognising first and foremost that a solid macroeconomic foundation is the most basic requirement,” Holness told the summit. “We have lowered our debt-to-GDP ratio; increased our foreign exchange reserves; reduced the unemployment rate; and achieved single-digit inflation as well as financial sector stability. This has allowed us to increase investments in urban planning and infrastructure, building for the future while taking account of changing demographic trends,” he explained. Added Holness: “We are all, however, well aware of the capacity limitations of developing states to deal with the multidimensional challenges we currently face — climate change, debt sustainability and economic stability, access to financing for development, global shocks, etc.” He, therefore, suggested that technology and knowledge transfer must be facilitated, including through mutually agreed arrangements. “The international financial institutions must be reformed to provide the necessary access to financing as the means of implementation. The multilateral system, with the UN at its core, must be equipped to provide opportunities for developing and sharing best practices. In this regard, a follow-up mechanism will also be important so that implementation of commitments we make over the next few days can be appropriately measured and monitored,” said Holness.

Mass murderer’s bid for sentence reduction leaves victims’ grandmom fuming Prayers and incredulous questions tumbled from the lips of Gwendolyn McKnight in response to the news that her nephew, Rushane Barnett — who callously butchered her daughter and four grandchildren in Cocoa Piece, Clarendon, before dawn on June 21, 2022 — has mounted an appeal against his sentence, claiming that he deserves less time behind bars. The victims — Kimesha 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. Barnett pleaded guilty and was subsequently convicted of five counts of murder in relation to the killings. He 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 before being eligible for parole. Barnett, who was 22 years old at the time of the offences, will not be eligible for parole before his 85th birthday. Now Barnett — who the Jamaica Observer learnt filed the notice of appeal on his own without the benefit of any legal advice — is of the opinion that he should have benefited from discounts during the sentencing since he had pleaded guilty early in the process. The matter is foremost on the cause and hearing list of the Appeal Court, which officially reopens for the new court term this Monday. The development was no comfort to his distraught aunt. “Really? Him shoulda get 125 years and him only get 61 and him say him want less? Well, hallelujah Jesus, Father God, no sin nuh go unpunished, and him want it reduced? Him should get more than what he get for my five children weh him murder inna cold blood and him asking for appeal?” a perturbed McKnight ranted in an interview with the Observer on the weekend. The grief-stricken mother, who is also now a widow, as her husband passed a month ago, said the fact that Barnett, who was treated well by her daughter, has never even apologised for his actions that fateful morning magnifies her pain. “Well, if the judge have any pickney or grandpickney, I am going to see if the judge is going to let up on that wicked monster bwoy. That boy shoulda get 125 years and him only get 61, him shoulda heng up pon di gallows. Him shouldn’t have time now fi a appeal. Yuh know how everyday inside me a burn out for my daughter and mi grandpickney dem? I still sit down sometime and cry for them, and this bwoy siddung inna jail a nyam taxpayer money an a talk bout seh him waan appeal?” she said. While acknowledging agonisingly that Barnett had rights as a prisoner, McKnight said his conscience alone should have dictated that he accept his fate. “Good God, may God have mercy. Jesus, no, no, a wah kinda heart him really have? That little monster who shouldn’t be behind bars a eat taxpayer money. He should have gone on the gallows, him shoulda inna electric chair an den him a come ask fi appeal, ask fi appeal afta yuh kill five pickney,” she poured out further. “Well, let us see, let us see, because if him shorten it [sentence] and feel seh him a go come back a road fi come do more act, him have a next Jesus coming, because I know God nah sleep,” McKnight said. With her daughter and grandchildren viciously snatched from her, and her husband now dead after battling with heart disease, McKnight says she finds solace in her three sons and a handful of friends. “The strength of God, a tell yuh seh the strength of God,” she said when asked how she coped with the losses. Barnett, in attempting to explain his actions, claimed that Wright, who operated a shop at the premises where she lived, had disrespected him in the days before the murders. Barnett, who acted as a babysitter for his cousin’s children on multiple occasions, claimed that a customer had come to the premises and he served the costumer, but his cousin was upset and told him he was never to serve her customers, grabbed the cash from his hand and splashed water in his face. He said he was offended from that instant. A subsequent interaction with his cousin, he said, led to the stabbings. He then 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. Justice Pusey, in his summation before handing down the sentences, had expressed “eternal hope” that Barnett’s name would be discarded to the dustbin of history and in the same breath urged that the names of Barnett’s victims be immortalised. Justice Pusey, who said he “struggled for adjectives” to describe the “direct viciousness” of Barnett, 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.” The judge, who said that the crimes fell under “the most serious category” recognised in law, 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

Private investigators tap into lucrative infidelity market PRIVATE investigators in Jamaica say they are being paid up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to investigate cases of suspected infidelity, with individuals living overseas willing to spend top dollar to find out if their partners are loyal. The Jamaica Observer spoke with the chief executive officers (CEOs) of three private investigation companies who said that the bulk of their clients are individuals 30 to 55 years old who reside in the United States, Canada, and England and have partners in Jamaica. These clients, typically, are married or in the process of filing for their spouses to join them overseas. Maurice Richards, CEO of Prominent Investigations, said his company offers more than 20 investigative and surveillance services. Still, investigations around infidelity — which is the act of being unfaithful to or cheating on a spouse with another individual — are a gold mine, with more than 25 per cent of his clients requesting the service. He shared that an equal number of his male and female clients request infidelity investigations. “I do get work [from residents of] Jamaica, but it is very slow and it is not that much. Persons overseas, however, are sending me like US$1,000 or US$2,000 a week to handle their business for them and spy on their partners,” Richards said, adding that in some cases, investigations go on for months. “If there is a girl who wanted to get her green card, or wanted to get straight [regularise their immigration status], or even marry to someone overseas, people from overseas are checking them out. They are using the private investigators to do surveillance on them,” he told the Sunday Observer. Richards said, in some instances, international private investigators also reach out to local sleuths to help them with their probe on cheating spouses. “For instance, if a company got a work to watch this female in America for a client but the lady is coming to Jamaica, they would hire us in Jamaica because they are not going to take a plane and come here,” he explained. However, when suspicions are confirmed and clients come face to face with evidence — videos, audio recordings, or pictures — of their spouse cheating, many are not prepared to handle that information. “When you show them the pictures and stuff, it’s crazy. Some of them, I’m not physically in front of them when I show them the pictures, but when they talk you can hear them get mad or cry and say they’re gonna get divorced or leave. I just have to sympathise and go about giving them the information in a good way,” he said. Paul Gordon, CEO of Majestic Investigation, said his company, in its more than four years of operation, has investigated about 80 suspected cases of infidelity. Of that number, only five cases concluded with no evidence that the person was being unfaithful. “I do over 70 services; however, I only post about six or seven services — and infidelity [investigation] is the number one service that people require. That’s where the lump sum comes in,” he told the Sunday Observer. The CEO said his company charges $15,000 or more a day, depending on the resources needed, with a minimum of three days required to carry out investigations. He stated that he mainly gets requests for suspected cheating probes from women, who form 70 per cent of his clientèle. “Some of the cases, by the first day you will actually know or have a feeling of their routine, so within three days you can tell if this person is actually doing something or not doing something,” Gordon explained. “Right then and there, we use a different approach, where we place a tracker on the person’s vehicle or, if they are not mobile, we have to use investigators travelling on public transportation to where that person is travelling,” he shared. At the end of the investigation a flash drive containing pictures, videos, audio recordings, and more is submitted to the clients. He stated that the process can be time-consuming, but many are anxious to know the truth, often bombarding him with requests for information before the investigation is finished. “I remember two persons pushed and said they wanted to see what I had before the investigation ended, and that was a mistake I made to let them have the footage. They called while I was trailing their spouse and right there the person knew I was trailing them. I almost got burned one time, and the second time I deviated when she told me that she told [her spouse that] she knew,” said Gordon. Now, as a standard, and to ensure his safety, he does not release any information before the end of an investigation — a decision many do not like because they are bubbling with curiosity and in need of answers to ease their mind. CEO of private investigation company Six Paths, Stephen English told the Sunday Observer that his company mainly deals with corporate clients investigating employees or insurance claims. However, if these corporate clients are removed from the equation, 65 per cent of his customers would be those looking for evidence on whether their spouses are cheating. He shared that, working with these cases, some people spend big bucks to have their partner watched for months, sometimes even after it is confirmed that the spouse is engaging in activities outside of their committed union. “We have this case that we’ve been doing for 11 months now and the person has paid us some serious money. For the week, we probably provided the service for the person for like five to six hours per day, for four or five days a week,” he said, noting that his company typically charges $6,000 an hour. Justifying the cost of surveillance, he said the services are expensive because investigators have to rent different cars, book hotel rooms and tickets for events, travel long distances, purchase gas, and more, in order to efficiently execute

THE Government is in the process of finalising new members for the Access to Information (ATI) Tribunal. Addressing Wednesday’s (September 18) post-Cabinet press briefing at business processing outsourcing firm iTel’s corporate office in St Andrew, the minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for information, skills and digital transformation, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, said the list with the proposed members has been sent to the leader of the Opposition for his feedback. “The ATI [Tribunal’s] term had ended and you have to find out if the old members of the tribunal want to remain on it and also look at whether or not you want to refresh it,” she said. Senator Morris Dixon said this process is ongoing, adding that, “We have decided on the names of some individuals.” “But, as with many of our tribunals, you have to have the support of both the prime minister and leader of the Opposition. So where we are now [is] the list that has been proposed has been sent to the leader of the Opposition for his comments. So once we hear back from him, we can move it forward. So we are in the process of having the ATI [Tribunal’s new members] in place,” said Senator Morris Dixon. She reiterated the tribunal’s importance, noting that it is a critical supporting component of the Access to Information Act. “For Jamaicans who don’t understand what it is, we have this legislation which is the Access to Information Act. So if anyone wants information on something Government-related, they can use that provision to ask for it or they can just come here to [the post-Cabinet briefing] to ask, and if I can answer, I will,” the minister said. She said further that there is a provision and process facilitating requests for information from a government entity. “There are some caveats though. Obviously there are some sensitive security or other information that cannot be shared, and sometimes a government entity may respond in that way, but it doesn’t end there. So even if an entity says, ‘No… because of this provision you cannot get the information,’ the law says that there can be a tribunal to which you can appeal. So this is a part of the Government saying, ‘We are open for you to ask any question,’ and it is not just for the media; it’s for any Jamaican,” she said. The Access to Information Act was passed in 2002 and its implementation and administration are led by the Access to Information Unit. The unit is also responsible for educating the public of their rights and obligations under the legislation. — JIS

PORTLAND, Jamaica — The police have charged a 12-year-old boy who was seen in a viral video physically assaulting another boy on a school compound in Portland last Thursday. He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Wednesday, September 17. In the 47-second video, the 12-year-old was seen shoving, punching and kicking the other boy. Following this incident, the matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched. The police said the matter will be brought before the Children’s Court. His court date has not been finalised.

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Subsidised food, without which most Cubans would not eat at all, is becoming ever more scarce and expensive as the government, battling sanctions, struggles to pay for imports. Breads are smaller — not even the size of an adult hand — rice is rare, and oil and coffee are nowhere to be found. “Some go to bed without eating anything, just water with sugar, if they have it,” said 57-year-old Rosalia Terrero, who works at one of Havana’s “bodegas”, where subsidised food can be bought. The store’s shelves are almost empty. Terrero’s own family of seven survive in large part on a piece of subsidised bread each per day — the weight of which the government has reduced from 80 to 60 grams (2.8 to 2.1 ounces) which she says is not enough “to fill your stomach”. Other staples include rice and beans. Most people cannot afford to buy from privately-run shops — authorised in the communist nation only three years ago — or from non-subsidised state stores that accept only foreign currency. Cuba is battling its worst economic crisis in 30 years, with sky-high inflation and an average monthly salary of barely US$42. But the food shortage “is what hits Cubans the hardest,” Terrero told AFP. “If you don’t have rice on the table, pasta or macaroni, it’s not as noticeable, but when there’s nothing at all, it hits very hard. Cubans stay upset from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.” With foreign reserves running low, Cuba is finding it ever harder to pay for the nourishment of its population of about 11 million people. The communist island needs about 3,300 US tons of wheat every month for bread, but in July and August it was able to acquire a third of that, and in September only 600 tons, according to official data. Last week, a ship laden with wheat found itself docked at harbour unable to unload, with the government saying it did not have the “financing” to pay for the cargo. This has also happened with recent shiploads of rice and salt. Domestic Trade Minister Betsy Diaz had warned the population that in September, as was the case in August, there will be “no oil or coffee” available anywhere. Linorka Montenegro, a 55-year-old homemaker, sighs in the queue at a “bodega” in Old Havana. “My refrigerator is empty, there’s nothing, not even air,” the mother of four and grandmother of five told AFP. She managed to get five pounds of rice and two pounds of sugar, but complains that this is only part of the monthly subsidised ration she is entitled to. Cuba’s worst economic crisis since the 1990s has also seen residents battle shortages of medicine and fuel and constant power blackouts. The government blames the situation on United States sanctions in place since 1962 and tightened under Donald Trump — measures which foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said last week cost Cuba more than US$5 billion in a year. The annual cost to the government of subsidised food distribution is almost a third of that. “The (US) blockade is evident as never before in the shortages faced by the population,” said Rodriguez. Since 2000, food products have been excluded from the US embargo on trade with Havana. But Cuba must pay cash and in advance — onerous conditions for a country with little foreign exchange and no access to loans from banks on the sanctions watch list. Havana is also running high foreign debt and a shortage of foreign currency — similarly complicating food purchases from other countries.

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Lessons learned from the COVID pandemic have left the world in a much better position to tackle the current mpox epidemic raging in Africa, according to the Gavi vaccine alliance. The COVID catastrophe brought with it “important learnings, and those learnings were drawn upon”, said Gavi chief Sania Nishtar. “Those learnings cascaded into specific instruments that are now coming into play” against mpox, the former Pakistani health minister told AFP in an interview this week. When COVID emerged in early 2020 and quickly began its deadly rampage around the globe, it revealed how completely unprepared the international community was to face such a global health crisis. It also shone a light on glaring global vaccine inequity, as wealthy countries snapped up most doses, leaving Africa far behind. Countries are still struggling to agree on a new pandemic treaty that could ensure the world is better prepared next time. But Gavi, which works to swell vaccine access in poorer countries, has not waited for a global agreement to put in place measures to better position it to respond to emergencies, Nishtar said. The organisation in June set up a US$500-million First Response Fund, designed to make cash rapidly available for vaccines during health emergencies. “The learnings of COVID were that when the emergency hits, there wasn’t money available,” said Nishtar, who became the first woman to lead Gavi when she took the reins in March. Gavi announced its first use of the fund on Wednesday, as it entered a deal with Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic to secure 500,000 doses of its MVA-BN mpox vaccine for use in African countries hit by the epidemic. “We’re drawing up to US$50 million from the First Response Fund,” Nishtar said, adding that the money would partially be used to cover the cost of the doses, and partially for overhead costs including for delivery and logistics. “We’re doing all we can to make sure that we can be as responsive and as quick as possible,” she said. 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 in some cases. The World Health Organization declared an international emergency over mpox last month, concerned by the surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to nearby countries. Between January and the end of August, DRC had recorded nearly 22,000 cases and more than 700 deaths linked to the virus. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has called for the continent to obtain 10 million doses. So far, it says just 3.6 million vaccines have been secured for Africa. Last week, the World Health Organization gave the nod to the MVA-BN jab, for the first time pre-qualifying an mpox vaccine, paving the way for speeding up procurement by international organisations. Nishtar said Gavi was “very glad to have moved very quickly”. She pointed out that just 35 days had passed between WHO’s emergency declaration and Gavi’s advance purchase deal for the MVA-BN doses, which “is as fast as you can get”. Gavi also decided in June to build a global stockpile of mpox vaccines, starting in 2026, as it has done for vaccines against cholera, Ebola, meningitis and yellow fever. The organisation has also launched a vaccine production “accelerator” for Africa, capable of dishing out up to US$1.2 billion over 10 years to speed up the expansion of vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the continent. “All in all, we’re in a much better scenario than we were with COVID,” Nishtar said.

INDUSTRY, Investment and Commerce Minister Senator Aubyn Hill has warned that agencies in his ministry will be going after businesses found to be engaging in price gouging. Since the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, Jamaicans have been complaining about higher-than-normal prices for some goods, which Hill said was expected after the hurricane, noting that the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) has been monitoring the situation. “If businesses aren’t following the rules, the agencies that I have and the authority that we have within the law will be used at full force…and as the CAC goes out, if we find people who are price gouging…we are going to put the full force of the law at you because we don’t want that; we want you to be fair,” he said. Hill, who was speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing held at the Chalmers Avenue location of business process outsourcing (BPO) company Itel, explained that price gouging happens “when you have goods that you are hoarding and won’t release until the price goes up or you buy new stuff coming in and you mark it up — because, you used to get 15 or 20 per cent and now you’re getting 45 and 70 per cent”. He noted that price checking was being done from before the hurricane and is continuing, so there is abundant data from May and June to do comparisons to identify price gougers. Six days after the passage of the hurricane, Prime Minister Andrew Holness had advised Jamaicans to report any incidence of price gouging. In a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on July 9, Holness said the Government was closely monitoring market activities to ensure that unscrupulous individuals do not exploit this disaster for financial gain, noting that citizens should have access to the necessary supplies at fair prices. “I ask the public to report any instance of price gouging, meaning an increase in price over and above what you were paying for the same product or service before the hurricane,” Holness said, advising that people report to the CAC or directly to the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce. Holness said the Government had issued an order, before the arrival of the hurricane, under the Trade Act to prevent price gouging on essential goods. However, in late August, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green had raised concerns about the price gouging of agricultural products in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Addressing a media briefing at his ministry’s St Andrew office on August 27, Green said traders were allowed access to external markets to ensure the nation has adequate food supply. “Once we have adequate supply, from our perspective, we know what should be the regular price for a number of our agriculture products. I am concerned that our traders are not passing on savings for our consumers, and I am getting a lot of outrage around prices of things that have come from external markets that seem to be still bearing the same high prices, even though the cost of source for those items are low,” the minister said. Green said he had brought the matter to Hill who asked the CAC to conduct an investigation. “What we do not want is people to be taking advantage of the challenging times by unfairly raising their prices. We are providing the access, [so] the consumers, ultimately, must benefit,” Green said. A St Mary farmer, Simeon Matty, who spoke to the Jamaica Observer last month, said since the passage of Hurricane Beryl he has seen that some farmers, especially those who were not greatly affected by the storm, hike prices unnecessarily — which is a practice he condemns. “Farmers are the only sector of business people who can raise things as much as they want to 200 or 300 per cent and it just goes through like that, and then now they pressure the Government all the time to take taxpayer money and give them fertiliser,” said Matty. Matty said that he has seen prices raised twice within 24 hours, and consumers left to hand over their hard-earned money. “They need to do better, man! They can do a lot better. The vendors dem sometimes, too, exaggerated with the prices so you need to have some sort of Government control to go around and make sure that they not overcharging,” he told the Observer. Matty is among stakeholders in the sector who have been advocating for the implementation of legislation to prevent price gouging in the agricultural sector. Green, in response to the call for regulations on prices, said that it is a matter the Government has looked at and continues to explore. “Clearly, there has to be a balance between ensuring that farmers get a good return on their investment and also ensuring that the consumers will not always have to pay too much. The real solution is trying to get adequate storage so that we can always have adequate supply,” Green told the Observer last month.

After another major issue with the lighting at the National Stadium, Independence Park Chairman Mike Fennell says a comprehensive review of the system will be done to prevent further mishaps. The Government spent close to $20 million to install new lights in July to ensure it met Concacaf and FIFA requirements. This installation met approval and allowed Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League match against Cuba to go ahead under lights on September 6. However, a new incident took place on Tuesday during reigning Jamaica Premier league champions Cavalier FC’s group match against Haiti’s Real Hope in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. During the half-time break, the light towers by the southern end of the stadium went out, causing a lengthy delay to the start of the second half. The lights were eventually restored and the match resumed with Cavalier surrendering a lead to lose 2-1, their first defeat of the competition. Fennell told the Jamaica Observer that an electrical issue was the cause of the outage. “We’re getting all the data from the consultants and the electrical engineers and we’re not finished with that as yet,” he said. “We’re in the process of getting it but the lights went as a failure of a breaker. Fortunately, we hand a standby team as we normally do and the standby team rectified the problem to ensure the match continued. “The electricians have replaced the breaker. Although it was fixed for the completion of the match, they’ve replaced the breaker to ensure everything will be normal.” Fennell also says an apology was given to Cavalier on Wednesday. “Yes, we have [apologised],” he said. “We have been in contact with them and the JFF [Jamaica Football Federation].” It’s the third major issue with the stadium lights and the second involving Cavalier. Concacaf fined the club in February after it was ruled that the lights were inadequate during their Champions League game against American club FC Cincinnati. Cavalier Technical Director Rudolph Speid says the outage contributed to his team losing momentum in the game on Tuesday. “I think we started very well and got the go ahead goal, but I think after the power cut at half-time, we just got thrown off our rhythm and basically, I think, we just backed up too much and conceded two goals in rapid succession. It’s just one of those games,” he said. With Cavalier potentially at risk of another fine, Speid is hopeful that Concacaf will be merciful. “Well, in fairness, if you host a game it’s always your fault,” he said. “Let’s hope that they saw this as a force majeure [uncontrollable event] and we don’t get a fine.” Fennell, though, wasn’t willing to say if Independence Park would be open to helping Cavalier pay a potential fine. “I can’t speak to that at this stage,” he said. “I could never speak to that at this stage. That would be for another consideration.” The JFF was forced to move its FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Dominican Republic in June from 6:30 pm to 3:30 pm after an inspection ruled the lights not bright enough for a night game. With several night matches scheduled for the rest of 2024 at the National Stadium, including the Reggae Boyz’s Nations League clash with Honduras next month and ISSA schoolboy football in November and December, Fennell says Independence Park is doing all it can to avoid further issues. “The consultants have been asked that following this, they will be doing further work to review all the lights to see if there’s anything more we need to do at this stage,” he said. “We’re not just leaving it at the repair work but we’re looking at it because everybody knows the lights and lighting systems are quite old and we have to do a complete review and give us a report.”

ST ANN, Jamaica — The police have charged a man with several offences in relation to two separate incidents in St Ann this year. He has been identified as 24-year-old Romeish Golding of Buckfield, Ocho Rios in the parish. Golding is charged with shopbreaking and larceny, shooting with intent, possession of prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, using a firearm to commit a felony, attempted shop breaking with intent and malicious destruction of property. In the first incident, about 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 30, a man locked his business place and left. On Monday, April 1 about 3:50 am, the police responded to reports that the store was being broken into. On their arrival, the police said a padlock to the front grille was observed to be cut and the glass of the front door broken. It is alleged that a quantity of assorted jewellery valued at approximately $200,000 was stolen. The police said during the investigation, footage from the CCTV system showed Golding as the suspect. In the second incident, which occurred on Monday, July 22,  a man who was working at a plaza was doing routine checks when he was alerted to a noise coming from the back of a business establishment. It is reported that upon making checks, he saw two men armed with guns walking away from a motor bus that was parked behind the building. The gunmen reportedly opened fire at the man, however, he escaped unhurt. Upon further checks of the facility, it was revealed that the alleged gunmen entered the premises by cutting a section of fence located at the back of the business establishment. A report was made to the police and an investigation was carried out. The police said Golding was subsequently arrested and charged after he confessed to committing the crime. His court date has not been finalized and his accomplice is currently being sought by the police.

MANHATTAN, United States — Sean “Diddy” Combs was reportedly arrested in Manhattan on Monday. According to a NBC News report, it was not immediately clear on what charges Combs was arrested, but the arrest comes amid a wave of lawsuits filed against him alleging sexual assault and an ongoing federal investigation. Commenting on his client’s arrest, attorney Marc Agnifilo issued a statement saying, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US (United States) Attorney’s Office.” Describing Combs as an imperfect person but “not a criminal”, Agnifilo said, “To his credit Mr Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts.” “These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court,” he added. Combs is the target of several civil lawsuits that characterise him as a violent sexual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims. Earlier this year, Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) agents raided a Los Angeles home reportedly associated with Combs. Also this year, surveillance video surfaced showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in 2016 — corroborating allegations she made in a now-settled lawsuit late 2023.

AVIGNON, France (AFP) — “I am a rapist,” said a Frenchman accused of drugging his wife so that he and dozens of strangers could sexually assault her, his first testimony in a trial that has horrified France. Dominique Pelicot, 71, used a cane Tuesday as he slowly entered the courtroom in the southern city of Avignon, where his now ex-wife was present for the painful testimony. “I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” Pelicot said, referring to the 50 other defendants in the mass trial — men he allegedly recruited online to rape his then-wife Gisele Pelicot. “They all knew” that he was inviting them to rape her, he said. But he added: “She did not deserve this.” Dominique Pelicot is accused of administering anti-anxiety drugs to Gisele over a period of almost a decade, from 2011 to 2020. He has been charged with raping her while she was unconscious, and recruiting dozens of other men he met online to do the same. Dominique Pelicot has admitted the charges, but Tuesday was the first time he was speaking at any length since the trial began on September 2. He spoke of his “difficult” childhood, saying his parents “assaulted each other”. He briefly mentioned what he described as two “traumatic” episodes, being victim of a rape when he was nine years old and another on a construction site as an apprentice. “I always carried these traumatising events with me,” he said, his eyes welling up and his voice shaking. “You’re not born this way, you become it,” he added. His ex-wife Gisele Pelicot, who obtained a divorce from him last month, remained stoic as he spoke, then she took the stand herself. “Not a for a single second did I doubt this man,” she said. Her former husband then asked her and others for forgiveness. “I am guilty of what I have done. I beg my wife, my children, my grandchildren… to accept my apologies. I ask for forgiveness,” he said. He also presented his apologies to another woman in the case, whose husband is accused of raping her while heavily sedated after following the same modus operandi. The main defendant had been excused from hearings for much of last week and did not show up on Monday. His lawyer Beatrice Zavarro told AFP he was suffering from “a clot in the bladder” and the beginning of a kidney infection. But a medical exam ordered by the presiding judge found that he was in a fit state to appear in court, avoiding a delay of weeks or even months to the hearings. Adjustments would be made to the “sequencing of the hearings” and Dominique Pelicot would get “regular rest”, Zavarro said, adding that the health complaints were not an attempt by her client to escapDominique Pelicot’s testimony is expected to be decisive for the 50 other men aged 26 to 74 on trial, four of whose cases are set to be heard in the coming days. Some of the accused have admitted that he told them he was drugging his then-wife, while others claim they believed they were participating in a swinger couple’s fantasy. Investigators listed 72 men suspected of having taken part in abusing Gisele Pelicot other than her husband, but only managed to identify 50. All those 50 are on trial. They include a fireman, a male nurse, a prison guard and a journalist. Seventeen are in custody, as is Dominique Pelicot, while 32 other defendants are attending the trial as free men. One co-defendant is being tried in absentia. Gisele Pelicot requested that the trial be open to the public to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse. The case has prompted outrage across France, with thousands demonstrating in cities at the weekend to demand an end to rape and support Gisele Pelicot. “Shame must change sides,” said several posters, echoing Gisele Pelicot’s words that it should be rapists — not their victims — who should be ashamed. Gisele thanked demonstrators on Monday. “Thanks to you I have the strength to see this fight through to the end,” she said.

STRASBOURG (AFP) — The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday condemned Spain in a case involving a Jehovah’s Witness who had received blood transfusions during an operation against her will. The Strasbourg-based court ruled unanimously that there had been “a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights read in the light of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion),” the ECHR said in a statement. The court ordered Spain to pay 26,000 euros in damages and legal costs. The case concerned blood transfusions administered to Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mulla, an Ecuadorian national living in Spain, during emergency surgery against her will. “Treating the situation as an emergency, the usual consent protocol was not followed at the hospital,” the court said. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it is against God’s will to receive blood and, therefore, they refuse blood transfusions. In March 2020, she lodged an application with the ECHR, which rules on violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. “Pindo Mulla had not been able to exercise her autonomy in order to observe an important teaching of her religion,” the statement said. In a statement to AFP, the 53-year-old said she was “very happy that justice has been done” and expressed hope that the ruling would “allow the rights of other people to be respected in the future.” One of her lawyers, Petr Muzny, said the court decision would “put an end to a few exceptions that are practised in certain countries, including France.” “France was still a country where, in certain cases, it was still possible to force a patient. But that’s over now,” he added. At a hearing in January, Muzny maintained that his client had become a victim of “medical paternalism,” despite the fact that she had repeatedly indicated that she wanted “to be treated in accordance with her conscience.” Heide-Elena Nicolas Martinez, a lawyer representing Spain, stressed that the decision to give Pindo Mulla blood transfusions had been taken with “great urgency.” Jehovah’s Witnesses are members of a US-based Christian evangelical movement, which claims to have over 8.6 million followers worldwide, from Finland to the Falkland Islands and Peru to the Philippines. The Witnesses reject modern evolutionary theory and also oppose blood transfusions, believing that blood is sacred. The Witnesses have lobbied doctors to adopt clinical strategies that minimise the need for blood transfusions.

Downsound Entertainment promises unforgettable December 31 show Gaza fans worldwide are getting ready to light up the new year with Vybz Kartel at the much-anticipated Freedom Street show set for the National Stadium on December 31. Promising a musical celebration of unforgettable performances, mesmerising stage effects, and an electrifying atmosphere, attendees will welcome 2025 in the most epic dancehall fashion. In his first sit-down interview with mainstream media since his release, Kartel shared his journey since being released and the energy he’s bringing to the stage at Freedom Street. Asked how he feels about his return to the stage after more than a decade, Kartel responded: “First of all, words can’t explain how mi feel. Mi can say me happy, mi elated, it’s amazing, but words really can’t express how mi feel, cause memba enuh, a 13 years. And one ting mi love more than life itself a music, so mi nuh even know how to process da feeling deh,” he said. He continued: “But weh di fans can expect from Kartel as usual is di unexpected. In terms of performance, dem a get three hours worth a fire. Fans, Gaza Nation, Gaza citizens, roll out!” Still, Kartel isn’t giving away any surprises just yet. “We nah gi nobody nuh sneak peek… But mi nah go spoil nutten. Di fans dem just need fi prepare fi di unexpected,” said the artiste as he hinted to guest performances. With the team at Downsound Entertainment managing the event, fans can expect top-tier production quality and coordination. Kartel was quick to credit his fans for their unwavering support throughout his time behind bars, explaining that they were the driving force behind the concept of Freedom Street. “The fans have played the ultimate [role] in shaping the concept of Freedom Street. A dem a chant freedom fi Kartel. From mi deh a prison a dem a chant, ‘Free Worl’ Boss!’ A dem literally name di show. So the show is based around the fans just as much as it is based around Kartel. Dem a my mirror, and me a fi dem mirror. A only tru da mirror ya [his face] kinda likkle bleach out,” he quipped. The Colouring Book singer shared that he is laser-focused on making Freedom Street the best possible experience for his fans. “Right now, me just focused on Freedom Street. Everything else can tek a backburner fi now,” Kartel said, then quickly joked, “Why fi backburner? Cause memba mi a one burner!” Tickets for Freedom Street are now available, offering fans a variety of options to suit their preferences, including Bleachers, Grandstand, In-field, Cycle Track, and Centre Stage.

Accompong chief can’t speak for all Maroons, says Colonel Wallace Sterling MOORE Town Maroons chief, Colonel Wallace Sterling says while head of the Accompong Maroons Richard Currie has a right to declare support for the political party of his choice, he should make it clear that the position is his and not that of the wider Maroon community. “Everybody has a right to support who they want to support; that is their personal choice. If an individual wants to go to a political rally and speak on their individual behalf, that is their prerogative, but to involve every Maroon with a broad brush is not something that I think should be done because, as far as I know, in every Maroon community there are people who support PNP [People’s National Party] and people who support JLP [Jamaica Labour Party],” Colonel Sterling told the Jamaica Observer on Monday. He was responding to a query from the Observer on Currie’s comments at the public session of the PNP’s 86th annual conference inside the National Arena in St Andrew on Sunday, given the Maroons’ often stated position that they are autonomous. Currie, who first appeared on the conference stage with former incarcerated dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, later returned and addressed the cheering Comrades, telling them that the Maroons will no longer accept violation of their rights and disrespect. “We are here today. We journeyed far and we sojourned to deliver a message. They will say I am political but what do you expect me to do? The point is, we have been soliciting the Government for three-and-a-half years and to date they have not responded to us. They have not attended one function, but Markie G [Mark Golding] has. Your future leader has, because he has vim, vigour and vitality,” said Currie who, since being elected colonel of the Accompong Maroons in February 2021, has crossed swords with the Andrew Holness Administration and State agencies. “The Maroons came here today to deliver a powerful message. Those who think they can undermine the rights of those who were here 287 years before, we have a sad, sad message to deliver in a few months’ time because the people are tired. Poverty, crime, there is so much that the unity of the Maroons and the people of this beautiful island together can share,” he told the Comrades. “The years that were sacrificed for the freedom we celebrate today have given us the open door to a republic, but it cannot be trampled upon in the way it is being proposed to be trampled upon, which is why we are here to say, ‘Time has come’. I stand before you as chief of the Accompong Maroons, not as a political entity, but as a proud representative of Jamaica’s first nation,” said Currie. “Our presence here at your 86th conference is both a statement and a gesture. A statement of unity and a gesture towards future mutual respect and peace with Accompong Maroons and all Maroons islandwide, from the windward to the leeward. Respect to Mark Golding and his Administration. When you assume State power you also have a home in Accompong, brother. Let us embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding as we move for a brighter future for this beautiful land we love,” Currie said to loud applause. However, Sterling — the longest-serving Maroon chief in Jamaica, having been elected in September 1995 — said the Maroons prefer to avoid partisan political involvement as they have to engage with the Government on matters that are important to them. “Whomever forms the Government of the day, we have to interface with them. We wouldn’t want to be sitting at a table with anyone who can say, ‘You have already declared your support for this other one’; that’s not how we wish to operate,” he told the Observer. At the same time, Sterling acknowledged that previous Maroon officials have been involved in politics. “The colonel that I succeed in Moore Town, CLG Harris, was a senator for quite some time; [and] the secretary for the Maroon Council of the day, when they had more parochial divisions in the constituency, he was a councillor. So there was always an involvement at that level,” Sterling said. He reiterated that Currie had a right to speak “in his individual capacity” but argued that no Maroon leader should speak for the entire community without consensus. Against that background, Sterling said the Windward Maroons started discussion on Currie’s comments on Monday. “We don’t say things that will boomerang to affect us in any way, shape or form. If it means we have to call him and get clarity, we will do that [but] we don’t want to see ourselves as Maroons in conflict,” Sterling said.

Ferguson relaxed about dramatic decision to rejoin technical staff at Mount Pleasant FA Afew weeks ago it didn’t seem possible but Davion Ferguson says he’s happy to be back at Mount Pleasant Football Academy after being reappointed as assistant coach. On Sunday Ferguson returned to the Mount Pleasant bench, alongside Head Coach Theodore Whitmore, for their opening win of the 2024/25 Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season. It came away to Portmore United, the team he had taken charge of before an eventful summer ended with that plan being turned on its head. After last season’s defeat to Cavalier in the final of the JPL on May 19, the St Ann-based club on June 2 opted against renewing the contracts of Whitmore, Ferguson, goalkeeper coach Warren Barrett, and physical trainers Lamar Morgan and Dwayne Peters. Sporting Director Paul Christie, at the time, said the club’s leadership, led by owner Peter Gould was “moving in a different direction which will be more academy focused”, while also lamenting the financial burden of player salaries. On June 3 Harold Thomas, director of football at the academy, was given the role and a new technical staff was brought in shortly after. Weeks later, Ferguson signed on to be the head coach of Portmore United. However, Mount Pleasant’s new era lasted for only two months as Thomas, who was promoted from his lead role at the academy, was shown the door following their 0-2 defeat to Cavalier in their debut game of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup on August 20. On August 23 Whitmore, Morgan and Peters agreed to return to Mount Pleasant, but Ferguson’s return was complicated as Portmore United were unwilling to part with him with the new JPL season on the horizon, unless a multimillion compensation package was agreed to in order to terminate his contract. After weeks of negotiation Portmore United accepted an undisclosed fee from Mount Pleasant which paved the way for Ferguson’s return. Although he had intentions of making Portmore champions, Ferguson says he couldn’t refuse working with Whitmore and the team again. “Portmore is a club that I like. I came here and had two excellent months; never had any issues. I think I added value to Portmore while being there, even structure player wise and team and [for] the entire outlay. That was a positive,” he said. “But we [Mount Pleasant] would have developed a team — myself, Whitmore, Lamar, Peters — over time. When we left Mount Pleasant we had opportunities to move to other clubs in the JPL and opportunities to move overseas and the Caribbean, but what was instructive was they wanted the team — the team we would have developed. Everybody has different roles and functions within the team, and we understand how each other works and operates, so it was easy from that standpoint in terms of the entire project and going back to Mount Pleasant,” Ferguson added. Whitmore was also elated to have the majority of his staff back on board. “Always happy to have Fergie. The thing about it is that we’re a team, and not very often we find a team that works together, and it’s just that. It’s a team — myself, Fergie, Lamar [Morgan], [Dwain] Peters. Unfortunately, we don’t have Warren Barrett but [Andrew] Sewell came in and joined us and that’s the team.” Ferguson says he’s comfortable in his decision and has no qualms about giving up a head coaching role. “I don’t think I need to answer the criticism. Steve McClaren, our national coach, came here from being an assistant at Manchester United. These things happen. As I said, it’s a team. People will speak but the details of my move is not yet fulsome; I think when the overall picture is presented to the public, they’ll understand,” he said. Since his departure several new faces have been introduced and the long season ahead includes a JPL title chase as well as the Caribbean Cup, but Ferguson believes the technical staff will be able to manage the expectations. “We would have been out for two months but credit must be given to the players. I think we have players now who are comfortable in possession but, more importantly, they’re very solid in defence. Our attack starts from being solid; if you look at the back line, all four are quality — along with the goalkeeper — so that affords us the platform to express ourselves a little bit more,” he said. “It’s a different periodisation, it’s new to a lot of people, so it’s to get that periodisation right. We have some ideas: We’ve started in terms of the mix we think is necessary or is required to get the job done. It’s nine months, it’s 39 games, so 13 games potentially added — keeping the play-offs and also having regional competitions. So, it’s all about improving our recovery protocols and extending in terms of the time the players have.” Mount Pleasant are to return to action on Sunday against Waterhouse in the JPL before travelling to Trinidad to take on Police FC in their third Concacaf Caribbean Cup group game.

The woman behind one of the most easily recognisable voices in Jamaica, Fae Ellington celebrates 50 years in journalism on Monday. Ellington, affectionately called ‘Auntie Fae’ by those closest to her, including the many student journalists she has taught at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies, began her now legendary journey into media on Monday, September 16, 1974. She credits her longevity in the demanding profession to “always maintaining standards”. During an interview with Observer Online on Monday, Ellington recounted some of the highlights of a glittering career that saw her blossom from a shy young girl (despite her early forays into theatre) into a household name in Jamaica and beyond. Along the way, Ellington has chalked up many firsts like being the first woman to host her own early morning show. While a 30-minute interview was not enough to detail the professional life of the woman who is used to being the one conducting the interviews like she did when she hosted TVJ’s Profile, the longest-running non-seasonal programme on local television, Ellington shared some of the highlights. She credits the late Dennis Hall of Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) fame and other stalwarts of Jamaican theatre and media with shaping her illustrious career. After being trained at the School of Drama, Ellington started out working at Barclay’s Bank before joining Olive Lewin as a cultural and recreational officer in the nation’s prisons. She would spend a year doing rehabilitation work, including teaching drama. After deciding that the programme was “not going the way” she liked, and after an incident involving female prisoners that she thought was “not handled smartly”, Ellington left that job. “After about a week [at home] a say [to myself] mi nuh have nuh rich mother or anybody, mi haffi work,” she recalled. A young Fae Ellington sporting an afro in 1977 while she was on a three-month training course at the BBC. It was at this time that she made contact with the late actress Leonie Forbes who at the time was heading JBC Radio 2 FM. She had earlier met Forbes at the School of Drama having been taught by her. “I wasn’t thinking of working on mic or in front of a camera, I was thinking of working behind the scenes because up until then I was very shy and lacking confidence,” Ellington said. For those who may question how she could be shy, having been trained in theatre, Ellington explained that “when you’re doing your play you have other people on stage that you play-off”. She was then contacted by Hall for an audition. At the time, Hall was chief announcer and news reader in addition to being the person who covered Parliament and outside broadcasts of national and state events at JBC. Hall was also the legendary quiz master for JBC’s, now TVJ’s, School’s Challenge Quiz. Ellington admitted she was a bag of nerves during the interview. To be successful at the interview and get on air, the interviewee had to, among other things, be able to pronounce classical names, read news and weather reports. “When we were finished with radio he (Hall) said ‘come now little one, let’s go across to TV’. I swear I dead. TV?,” Ellington recounted while laughing out loud. She shared that she had been inside the TV studio before with the Jamaican Folk Singers but an audition was a different story. Having made an error while reading and mumbling something in frustration, Ellington recalled Hall saying to her, “so little one, if you’re on the air and you made an error, is that what you would do?” Having come in contact with people like Hall, Forbes and Lewin, which she lists as a highlight of her career, Ellington said “I was blessed to be born at the right time”. She explained that she was in the presence of the right people as, while she never referred to them as mentors at the time, remarked that “I had people in theatre and in broadcasting whose example I emulated. They had the business of professionalism and high standards down pat”. The veteran broadcaster said many of those who influenced her career straddled both broadcasting and theatre, an environment that would shape her into becoming adept at news reading, broadcasting and interviewing. “People like Leonie Forbes, people like Easton Lee, Wycliffe Bennett, Bobby Gishays, I had those powerful, no-nonsense influences, which is perhaps why I turned out the way I did. Whether I was teaching or something else, although I can be funny, I’m a no-nonsense person when it comes on to time,” said Ellington. “That is a highlight to have been in a place and a space where I had those excellent examples and they were not just guiding me, they were correcting me and some of the corrections sometimes jerk you, but you understood that they were meant for your benefit,” she added. Another highpoint of her career was the in-house training provided by JBC which was referred to by journalists at the time as the ‘University of the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation’. It was three months of intensive training before you went on air. “And when I went on air it was not to do a programme, it was just to do a time signal …You do that for about a week or two and then you move from that to introduce a programme that is taped, that will follow,” Ellington recalled. She said the on air talent was also taught how the different departments came together “to support those of us who’re on air”. And, after training, you were constantly monitored. She gave credit to persons whom she described as very seasoned technical operators as they were called then, for helping her hone her on air skills. She singled out Algie Carby, who went on to work for the United Nations, as one. His approval, she said, “meant the world to me”. Fae Ellington greets comedian Tony Hendriks

Jaws dropped yesterday as images of Saint International model Wayne Booth’s latest beauty look with Nylon magazine surfaced online, confirming just how much we’ve missed seeing the beauty’s coveted cheekbones in print. Of course, Tuesday Style Dryer (TSD) immediately got her online and took the opportunity to get the deets on the editorial and catch up with her about recent happenings in her life. Booth’s look was created by Cécile Paravina — a member of Chanel Beauty’s ‘It’ make-up artist trio Cometes Collective — who in an interview with nylon.com said: “I wanted to give my model today a mysterious aura. I’m using purple, which I think is the most spiritual colour.” Q&A TSD: How do you feel about this campaign Wayne Booth (WB): I felt great doing this editorial. it was actually one of the first jobs for me after maternity leave. I was excited to be able to start shooting again. TSD: What make-up tips did you pick up along the way? WB: I allocate skincare routine in the mornings every day. I always use super light make-up so it looks natural. I cleanse and apply moisturiser before applying make-up. And once I complete my make-up for the day, I always try to remove it with micellar cleansing water and apply moisturiser. TSD: What’s next? WB: I am hoping to do more campaigns and runways so I can push my career to another level. CREDITS Nylon story by: Faith Xue, Executive Beauty Director of Bustle Digital Group Photography: Mikael Shulz Make-up by the Cometes Collective, : Ammy Drammeh, Cecile Paravina, Valentina Li Styling: EJ Briones Hair: Jerome Cultrera

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica— A man has been charged with murder after he allegedly chased and fatally shot a man in Geneva district, Westmoreland on Wednesday, June 26. Dead is 20-year-old Jowayne Murray otherwise called ‘Joey’. Charged with Murray’s murder is 23-year-old Kyree Lynch, of Crowder district, Grange Hill in Westmoreland. He is also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and using a firearm to commit a felony. Reports from the Savanna-la-mar Police are that about 5:30 pm, Murray was in the company of family members at a shop when a Toyota Axio motor car drove up. Lynch reportedly alighted from the motor vehicle and approached Murray when he brandished a firearm and opened fire. It is reported that Murray ran from the shop and was chased by Lynch and shot. The police were summoned and on their arrival Murray was seen in a yard lying on his back with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

KINGSTON, Jamaica— People’s National Party (PNP) spokesman on finance and the public service, Julian Robinson, has listed addressing what he described as the alarming state of foundational literacy and numeracy among Jamaica’s young people as one of the major targets of his party when it returns to Government. Addressing the public session of the PNP’s 86th annual conference on Sunday, Robinson argued that if the system is not fixed at the early childhood level, building science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) schools as proposed by the present Government will be a waste of time. “If we fail to address this, all the STEM schools we build, and all the skills training we provide through HEART, will be built on sand,” said Robinson. “Educational reform must go deeper. We cannot start with advanced learning when far too many of our children and young adults are not even reading or doing basic arithmetic at the required levels. There must be a comprehensive national effort to ensure that every child leaves primary school with a strong grasp of literacy and numeracy,” added Robinson. He told comrades that investing in primary education, in early childhood development, is what will make the greatest impact on Jamaica’s future. “We must retrain our teachers, revamp our curricula, and ensure that classrooms are equipped with the resources needed to deliver world-class education. Only then will we be able to transition effectively to the higher levels of learning and training that are essential for the value-added sectors we wish to dominate,” said Robinson.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former champions Montego Bay United defeated 10-man Vere Phoenix United 4-1 at the Wembley Centre of Excellence as the Jamaica Premier League kicked off on Sunday. It was the first opening game win for Montego Bay United since they entered the island’s top club competition in 2011. Mt Peasant FA and Arnett Gardens also made winning starts Sunday, beating Portmore United and Dunbeholden United respectively. Mt Pleasant beat Portmore United 2-0 while a first half double from Warner Brown carried Arnett Gardens to a 3-0 win over Dunbeholden in the late game. At Wembley, recent additions Jordan Britto and Shaniel Thomas got on the score sheet for Montego Bay United in their spanking of Vere Phoenix which ended the game with 10 players after goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison was sent off in the 84th minute for a second yellow card. Britto gave MBU the lead after only six minutes when he headed home a curling free kick but Damion Thomas equalized for Vere Phoenix in the 10th minute as they went to the half time break locked at 1-1. However, it was all MBU in the second half as they scored three times in 15 minutes. Brian Brown restored their lead in the 71st minute, captain Owayne Gordon made the score 3-1 in the 77th minute and substitute Thomas added the fourth in the 86th minute. Coach Theodore Whitmore started his second stint at Mt Pleasant FA on a winning note with goals from Sue-Lae McCalla in the 26th minute and Daniel Green in time added at the end of the first half. In the third game, Brown grabbed two quick goals, in the eighth and ninth minutes, while Kimani Arbouine added a third in the 54th minute to secure all three points for Arnett Gardens. -Paul A Reid

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel made a surprise appearance at the 86th annual conference of the People’s National Party (PNP) at the National Arena in Kingston on Sunday. Kartel, who was freed from prison on July 31 after 13 years behind bars, appeared at the podium alongside his attorney Isat Buchanan, who is the former chairman of the PNP’s Human Rights Commission. The entertainer did not speak but made the PNP’s clenched fist symbol as Buchanan expressed that the party was fighting for “the future, the freedom, justice and the constitution” of Jamaica. “The message that I want to say is that we are fighting for the youths of this country; the future, for freedom, for justice and the constitution… so just know that we are supporting (PNP President) Mark Golding 150 per cent,” Buchanan said.

President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Mark Golding has ripped into the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), describing the governing party as corrupt and demanding that the Holness-led administration publicly state which parliamentarians are under probe for illicit enrichment by the Integrity Commission. According to Golding, who is also the Opposition leader, “corruption is rampant, at the highest levels”. He was speaking Sunday during the public session of the 86th annual conference of the PNP at the National Arena in Kingston. Golding repeated sections of his Budget speech in March which was shut down after he made statements deemed controversial by Government Members of Parliament (MPs) and was forced to finish his speech on the sidewalk outside Gordon House. “You will remember during my budget presentation when they tried to prevent me from saying some critical things about governance, even shutting down the sitting of Parliament. I went on the street and said what I had to say, and I will say it here again: “…The failure to disclose the identity of the so-called ‘illicit six’ MPs who are under investigation by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment remains a festering sore, only made worse by the Prime Minister’s gag order on Cabinet Ministers speaking publicly on these matters,” he repeated Golding noted that since that time, the Integrity Commission has indicated that two more MPs are under investigation for illicit enrichment. The PNP president repeated the quote, this time stating that it was the “illicit eight” and added that “Comrades, I had to hurry up and say it the second time, because by the time we finish here today it could become 12, the way how the number of Labourite ‘illicits’ a multiply like gremlins! “And now we have another Integrity Commission report on the prime minister, sent to Parliament but still not tabled for the public to see, with little bits of it being selectively leaked to JLP-allied media houses”. Golding said a future PNP administration “will change the law so that all Integrity Commission reports must be published on Parliament’s website within 24 hours being sent to Parliament, and all Jamaicans can read the reports.” Declaring that “time come to change these things” and that accountability and transparency matter, Golding promised that a future PNP Government would create an environment in which all Jamaicans can thrive and achieve their version of the Jamaican dream. Several reports from the Integrity Commission are expected to be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

CLARENDON, Jamaica – Two police constables are dead and two other cops hospitalised after a motor vehicle crash in York Town, Clarendon on Sunday. The deceased have been identified as constables Jessica West and Shawn Atkins, members of the Area 3 police division. Observer Online understands that around 6:40pm, the four cops were travelling in a police service vehicle along the York Town main road heading to May Pen when the driver lost control of the vehicle which then overturned in a ditch. The four cops were rushed to hospital where West and Atkins were pronounced dead and the other two admitted.

WEST PALM BEACH, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Sunday in Florida, the FBI said, with the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign and law enforcement reporting he was safe and unharmed. The US Secret Service confirmed one or more of its agents “opened fire on a gunman” located near the boundary of Trump’s golf course, and that an “AK-47 style rifle” with a scope was recovered along with a GoPro video camera. The suspect escaped in a black car but a witness helped police identify the vehicle and authorities tracked it down. “We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told a press conference. Press Information Officer Teri Barbera shows pictures of evidence found at the fence of former US president Donald Trump’s golf course, at a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024 following a shooting incident at former US president Donald Trump’s golf course. Trump’s campaign reported Sunday that there had been “gunshots in his vicinity” but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. (Photo: AFP) Trump had been golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, when the shooter was spotted a hole ahead of him, Bradshaw said. “President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,” his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. The unnerving incident appears to mark the second time in as many months that Trump has been the target of a gunman. The former president was wounded in the ear on July 13 as he was speaking at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Authorities who addressed Sunday’s press conference did not confirm whether a gunman actually fired in the direction of the former president, but Secret Service agents did engage the suspect. “We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” said Rafael Barros of the Secret Service. – ‘Rifle barrel sticking out’ – The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.” Sheriff Bradshaw said Secret Service personnel doing protective work on the course as Trump played golf spotted “this rifle barrel sticking out of the fence and immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off.” He said the suspect was set up probably between 300 and 500 yards (275 to 455 meters) away, but “with a rifle and a scope like that, that’s not a long distance.” Sheriff William Snyder of neighboring Martin County said on CNN that the potential suspect who was stopped by law enforcement had “a relatively calm, flat affect. He was not displaying a lot of emotions.” Law enforcement were launching a sweeping investigation and intense focus will come down on the arrested suspect, but as of Sunday afternoon there was no indication of a motive for the attempted assassination. The incident came amid heightened concern for the safety of both candidates. The White House quickly issued a statement saying both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic rival in the November election, had been briefed about the incident. “They are relieved to know that he is safe,” the statement said. Harris herself responded to say she was relieved a tragedy was avoided. “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe,” she said. “Violence has no place in America.” The US Secret Service, tasked with protecting presidents, former presidents and other dignitaries, faced criticism after the Pennsylvania incident. Kimberly Cheatle, the head of the agency, resigned amid the ensuing scrutiny, and at least five Secret Service agents were placed on administrative leave. Cheatle acknowledged in her letter of resignation that the agency “fell short” of its mission to protect the nation’s leaders.

A recently-launched geotagged address database in Jamaica is expected to provide a significant boost to the island’s insurance industry. Y Smart Data introduced its curated address database at the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) Business Conference, held recently at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. In a presentation titled ‘Mapping the Future: Harnessing Location Intelligence for the Insurance Industry’, Y Smart Data’s CEO, Ray St Michael Williams highlighted how the company’s geotagged address database will enhance underwriting accuracy, reduce fraud, and enable insurers to offer more tailored services to clients. He said geotagging can ultimately transform how risk is assessed and how policies are priced within Jamaica’s insurance industry, noting that insurers will be able to leverage location intelligence to better manage risk. Over the past four years, Y Smart Data has been building and refining a comprehensive address database for Jamaica, attaching geographic coordinates to each address to provide the financial sector with reliable and actionable insights. During the presentation, Y Smart Data showcased a map that categorized real estate listings by value, illustrating how geographic areas of affluence and risk can be identified across Jamaica. By standardizing and geotagging Jamaican addresses, local insurers can align their risk assessment models with international best practices, Williams said. “By integrating precise and granular data with advanced analytics, we can provide insurers with unparalleled insights, enabling smarter, more informed decision-making,” Williams said. “This shift towards location intelligence not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates new opportunities for innovation and growth in the face of 21st century challenges,” he added. Williams emphasized that the initiative will help insurers comply with the Jamaica Data Privacy Act, which mandates that data controllers maintain the most accurate and up to date client information, including addresses. Additionally, the presentation outlined how customers will benefit from more accurate pricing, enhanced service, and faster claims processing. Y Smart Data aims to work closely with the IAJ to drive these advancements, ultimately transforming how risk is assessed and policies are priced within Jamaica’s insurance industry. Williams said the database empowers various industries in Jamaica to leverage location intelligence, an advanced approach already adopted by developed countries to enhance products and services, such as insurance pricing and risk management. The company highlighted that insurers in other markets are using geotagged data to accurately assess risks, such as susceptibility to flooding, crime, or natural disasters, and to set premiums accordingly. However, Jamaica has struggled to fully harness available data due to inconsistent and incomplete address records. “Jamaica has yet to fully capitalize on the data at our disposal because of the fragmented and incomplete nature of address records,” Williams said. The IAJ Business Conference also addressed other key issues, including the impact of climate change on insurance, cyber risks, artificial intelligence, and data privacy. Among the key takeaways was the need for better address data management, which was presented as an immediate step the Jamaican insurance industry can take to navigate these global shifts.

Opposition spokesman on Education, Damion Crawford, citing the poor performance of Jamaican students in this year’s CSEC examinations where just 18 per cent received a passing grade in five subjects including mathematics and English language, referenced a biblical analogy to describe the government’s stewardship of the education sector. “In fact, 13,000 children (at the PEP level) this year did not achieve proficiency in mathematics. They asked for bread, they were given stones,” Crawford stated, adding that 11,000 children did not achieve proficiency in English language. He made the statement at the public session of the 86th annual conference of the People’s National Party (PNP) at the National Arena on Sunday. “And then when it come to CXC it get worse because (only) 18 per cent of Jamaican children get five subjects including maths and English and then I hear that the Minister of Education (Fayval Williams) is seeking a promotion. What can go so?” he asked rhetorically as the arena erupted in cheers. It has been widely speculated that Williams could replace Dr Nigel Clarke as Minister of Finance and the Public Service. According to Crawford, “by right she should be asked for her resignation but I understand what is happening in the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) because they have no talent. The JLP reminds me of an artiste that go to studio with 10 words an wha mek 30 songs. What can go so?” Crawford told comrades that “we have found the stone heap and we have found the serpent’s nest and I guarantee that in five years after we (the PNP) take Government, we will defeat Trinidad, we will defeat Barbados, in CXC, the same way we treat dem in CARIFTA (Games)”. He elicited even louder cheers when he stated that “I know Kartel is here but when it comes to education I am the teacher”. Entertainer Vybz Kartel, who was released from prison in July after nearly 13 years, made an appearance at the conference in the company of his attorney, Isat Buchanan. The artiste is also referred to as ‘The Teacha’. Crawford offered solutions, stating that “the first stone heap that must be mashed down is absenteeism”. He noted that in rural areas, absenteeism was at 37 per cent and at 18 per cent in urban areas. “The first thing we’re going to do is make sure we have boarding facilities for at least 30 per cent of our school population and then we’re going to give one meal per child in school,” he told the conference. Anticipating pushback, including from the governing JLP as it relates to the affordability of such programmes, Crawford argued that “they say they can’t afford one meal per child in school but they will afford three meals per adult in prison”. “They will say they can’t afford to board a child in school for five years but they’re planning a big investment in prisons to board you with gun for 15 and with murder for 30,” he added. The education spokesman said a future PNP Government will fight to keep teachers in Jamaica via a teacher retention plan that will make it easier for them to own a house or a motor vehicle. Noting the high level of recruitment of Jamaican teachers, Crawford said: “We will meet with the embassies and our friends from the embassies who want our talent to help us to prepare an investment so that they can get, and we can have, and our children aren’t left without teachers”. He said PNP President Mark Golding was the man to make it happen as he urged party supporters to vote in the next general, declaring Golding to be “trustworthy and honest”. “I don’t know what is going to happen Tuesday when that thing (the Integrity Commission report) is tabled (in the Parliament) but if you surrounded by 40 thieves maybe you are Alibaba,” he concluded.

KINGSTON, Jamaica— International recording artiste Sean Paul has teamed up with Burger King and MTV for a 75-second short film inspired by Burger King’s new Frozen Pink Lemonade beverage. Produced by Paramount Brand Studio, the clip also features the world-renowned artists, Les Twins. The video will premiere during the live broadcast of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Wednesday, September 11. In an interview with Observer Online, Sean Paul expressed pleasure at being associated with both iconic brands. “It feels great to be associated with such big brands still. The frozen pink lemonade, the time is hot, so the freshness is needed. Glad to be associated with Burger King and MTV again,” said Sean Paul, who also revealed that he is yet to sample the product. “I haven’t gotten a chance to try the product, but definitely will soon,” he said. Asked what it was about his image and brand that continues to maintain a lasting appeal, Sean Paul said “I would have to big up the entire genre and those who came before me. I don’t think the business revolves around me alone, I understand that each one teaches one and I learn from greats. However, I do put together great music, choose great rhythms and put together great stage shows. So, my product is quality, and I feel that is what people and major brands gravitate to.” He also shared his experience working on the short film. “It was pretty simple for me to work on the project, it was like shooting back the video. It was also very special for me to take my two dancers who I just toured the world with, in Australia in February, in May in the United States and in Europe June/July and I just completed the Canada tour two days ago. So, we’ve been on an extensive run, and it was great to have them on set with me,” he said. Sean Paul continued, “The highlight for me on this project was just knowing that big brands and a younger audience are gravitating to my music, which I recorded 20 years ago. It’s a great feeling to know that it’s still in the runnings with the music of today.” Sean Paul has, so far, been nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards. The 2024 MTV VMAs takes place at New York’s UBS Arena. It will feature performances from some of the biggest names in pop and R&B. Taylor Swift leads the nominations with 10, followed by Ariana Grande, Eminem, Sabrina Carpenter with six each.

KINGSTON, Jamaica— The family of Rohan Malcolm has set up a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise US$25,000 (J$3.8 million) to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support to his loved ones. The funeral for the deceased is set to take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, according to the information posted to the donations website. Malcolm, who was a former employee of the Jamaica Observer, was reportedly shot and killed on Saturday, August 31, 2024 by his wife, Denise. She has since been charged with murder. He leaves behind 14-year-old twin boys, one of whom reportedly witnessed the fatal shooting. “Dear Friends and Supporters, we come together in heartache to honour the memory of Rohan Malcolm, who was tragically taken from us in an act of violence that has left our community grieving,” the GoFundMe appeal said. “Rohan was not just a friend, a brother, or a son; he was a beacon of light, known for his kindness, laughter, and unwavering support for others. In the wake of this devastating loss, we are reaching out to raise funds to support Rohan’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” it added. The GoFundMe account has so far raised US$3,425, with the family stating that “every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference”. “Let’s come together to honor Rohan’s legacy and provide the support his family needs. Thank you for your generosity and compassion,” the family appealed. Those wishing to donate can do so here.

PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP)— Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of telling lies and “insulting the women of America” with his policies and statements on abortion in a fiery exchange with her Republican rival during their televised presidential debate on Tuesday. “You’re going to hear a bunch of lies,” Vice President Harris said, before dismissing Trump’s claim that Americans on both sides of the political divide wanted the 1973 ruling enshrining the constitutional right to abortion to be overturned by the Supreme Court. Accusing the Republican former president of facilitating “Trump abortion bans that make no exception, even for rape and incest” in states across the country, Vice President Harris called for Americans to “understand what that means.” “A survivor of a crime of violation to their body does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next,” she said. “You want to talk about this is what people wanted, pregnant women who want to carry pregnancy to term, suffering from a miscarriage, being denied care in an emergency room because the health care providers are afraid they might go to jail and she’s bleeding out in a car in the parking lot,” she continued, turning to face Trump and pointing at him, while he stared ahead, stone-faced. “They didn’t want that,” Harris continued. “Her husband didn’t want that. A 12- or 13-year-old survivor of incest, being forced to carry a pregnancy to term? You don’t want that.” Earlier, she stated: “Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v Wade, and they did exactly as he intended.” She repeated promises to reinstate Roe if she won the White House. Trump, for his part, continued to insist that “every legal scholar, every Democrat, every Republican, liberal conservative, they all wanted this issue to be brought back to the states.” He insisted that it took “courage” to do it, and said again that Democrats are allowing babies to be executed after birth, even as ABC News debate moderators stated that was not true. Harris said the comment was “insulting to the women of America.” When the moderator asked him about a statement by his running mate JD Vance, who said that Trump would not sign a national abortion ban if it reached his desk as president, he obfuscated, pivoting to attack Harris over student loans.

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Taylor Swift, a self-declared “childless cat lady,” has endorsed Kamala Harris for president of the United States. The global megastar broke her silence on the current state of US politics Tuesday, voicing support for Harris over Donald Trump for the White House, and calling the Democratic candidate a “steady-handed, gifted leader.” “I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” she posted on Instagram in the minutes following a televised presidential debate that saw the candidates face off for the first time, which Swift said she had watched. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,” Swift wrote. “I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.” She signed off her Instagram post by dubbing herself a “childless cat lady,” a swipe at a much-mocked sentiment expressed by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance which he had wielded in a bid to insult Democratic women. Until Tuesday, Swift had been conspicuously quiet on the subject, even as many of her fans began organizing under the banner “Swifties for Kamala” and raising tens of thousands of dollars for the Democratic hopeful. But the 34-year-old said that discovering that AI-generated images of her falsely endorsing Trump, which “conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” had inspired her to speak up. “It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” she said. “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.” She encouraged her legions of loyal fans to “do your research.” Swift, fresh off the European leg of her blockbuster “Eras” tour, balked at explicitly telling her ardent supporters to vote Harris, instead saying “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.” “Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make.” The artist did voice special support for Harris’s choice of a running mate, Tim Walz, praising the Minnesota governor for “standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.” – ‘With love and hope’ – A global celebrity with hundreds of millions of social media followers and a wildly loyal — and chronically online — fan base, Swift can move any needle with the tiniest of efforts. The right and the left have long wanted to count the “Blank Space” singer as their own — but for years Swift stayed conspicuously out of politics, including in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency. Speculation abounded that the superstar was a closet Republican until 2018, when she broke both her silence and the internet by endorsing the Democratic opponent of far-right politician Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee. Blackburn won anyway, but it ushered in a new chapter for Swift. She later explained that handlers had urged her against wading into politics, telling her it could damage her career — particularly in the country music industry, which despite its complexities is often associated with conservatism. Swift endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has conveyed pro-LGBTQ messages through her songs and music videos. She also condemned the Supreme Court’s reversal of the federal right to abortion, and has encouraged droves of her fans to register to vote. But Swift’s massive popularity has also meant she’s a regular target for political misinformation and right-wing conspiracy theories, often fueled by AI and amplified by the likes of Trump. Speaking out on her own terms gripped the news cycle within seconds of going live, and her post notched more than two million “likes” after just 30 minutes. “With love and hope, Taylor Swift,” she concluded her message.

The Reggae Boyz escaped with a hard fought 2-1 win over Honduras in Tuesday’s Concacaf Nations League Group B game at the Nacional Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa. A second half penalty from Michail Antonio secured the win — the first of the Steve McClaren era — for the Jamaicans which saw them climb to a tie on four points at the top of the group with Nicaragua. It was Antonio’s fifth goal for Jamaica as they made up for Friday’s 0-0 draw against 10-man Cuba at home. Jamaica’s goalkeeper Andre Blake was outstanding throughout the game, especially in the second half where he made a series of saves to keep his team in the game. After a bruising first half, Jamaica took the lead in the 49th minute when a low hard cross from Norman Campbell was turned past his own goalkeeper by Honduran defender Denil Maldonado. The scores were tied a minute later, however, when David Ruiz-Ochoa managed to find the low right hand corner of the Jamaican goal, through a crowd of defenders. Mexican referee Victor Caceres Hernandez awarded a spot kick after Antonio was brought down in the Honduran penalty area by goalkeeper Luis Lopez and the striker finished off what he started with a well placed spot kick into the right corner. Jamaica will next face Honduras at home in the October International window. -Paul A Reid

Chris Williams sings praises of JPL growth through investment Professional Football Jamaica Chairman Chris Williams says new ownership and partnership moves over the last 12 months are a signal that the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) is one of the best leagues in the region. The 2024-25 season, which gets under way on Sunday, was launched at the Wray & Nephew headquarters in New Kingston on Wednesday. On Monday, Arnett Gardens and Dream Entertainment signed a partnership which will see the entertainment giants provide managerial guidance to the west Kingston-based club. Similar partnerships have also occurred over the last year with Vere United, Portmore United, and Montego Bay United. With these moves, Williams says he expects the league to grow even further. “Professionalism, that’s the word, because once you as the owners and the directors step up your game and step up your performance management, not just of the players but everything in the club, and become more professional, the league will reward you, the fans will reward you,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “We’ve seen a number of moves for the clubs to be more businesslike so we’re seeing improvements and [Chief Executive Officer] Owen [Hill] and I as the independent people, we’re not letting go. We’re staying on them, we’re harassing them and telling them to step up their game in every aspect. Jamaica will see the difference, you see it with a number of clubs but you’re going to see it in all the clubs, I guarantee.” The league will be extended to 39 regular season games as well as the play-offs which is set to be the longest season in Jamaican top-flight history. Williams took over as chairman during the COVID-19-affected season in 2021, which had 10 league games and the play-offs. He says he is proud of how far the league has come in a short space of time and is looking for a record turnout of supporters. “We’ve been strategising for four years and I always knew and believed in my heart that Jamaica loves their country and football and if you bring the two together, the two can’t miss,” he said. “Everybody is coming on-board — you see the massive turnout of sponsors, you see the big coaches, you see the big ownership moves taking place and of course, you see the players. “We sold everybody on the dream and once everybody bought into the dream, it’s just been evolving on a rapid. We doing a record number of games and this is the headline I want — ‘We’re putting 250,000 people through the turnstiles for the season’. That is 15 per cent of the population. That’s what we’re focusing on and we’re not buckling.” The fixtures for the new season will be released this week as the Observer understands that the delay has been due to negotiations with the clubs and the television rights holders.

Jamaicans to get access to mobile payment service next year Jamaicans will gain access to Apple Pay in 2025 when the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica (BNSJ) becomes the first local bank to partner with the US$3 trillion giant. This was announced on Monday at Scotia Group Jamaica Limited’s (SGJ) media briefing. BNSJ is currently testing Apple Pay with staff who have credit cards, and is looking to add debit cards next to the pilot. “Different entities have to make their services available in the specific regions and typically what they will do is they’ll make the decision to form partnerships with different FIs (financial institutions) to enter into specific markets. Apple Pay is a pretty good example. We have done all the internal work required to launch Apple Pay and we have done so in specific markets where the agreements have been finalized with Apple,” said Perrin Gayle, SGJ’s head of retail banking and small business, Caribbean North and Central, on the introduction of Apple Pay to Jamaica. Jamaicans could always use Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay and even their smartwatches to make contactless payments at point of sale (POS) machines in Jamaica. However, they would have had to add a card approved by Apple or the other payment partners in order to use these alternative payment processors. With BNSJ bringing Apple Pay to Jamaica, citizens will join more than 500 million persons globally to use the service, according to Statista. As per GlobalStats Counter, iOS (Apple’s operating system) has a 42.79 per cent market share in Jamaica while Android leads with 56.9 per cent market share. Samsung is estimated to have 0.3 per cent market share in the Jamaican market. According to CapitalOne Shopping, Apple Pay processed US$6 trillion in payments for 2022 which is just behind Visa which processed US$10 trillion. Apple Pay also represented five per cent of all global transactions in 2020. Apple Inc had its major launch event on Monday where it announced the new iPhone 16, new AirPods and Apple Watch Series 10. The iPhone is Apple’s biggest money maker and represented 52 per cent or US$154.96 billion of Apple’s nine months’ revenue totalling US$296.11 billion. “In Jamaica, for example, we’re currently testing Apple Pay. I have access to Apple Pay with my Jamaican credit card. I’m able to shop with it online, to shop in stores; it works. It is something that we’re piloting internally with staff members, but until the formal agreement is reached with Apple to formally launch in country, we’re not able to make it available to the public. What we can say is that we’ve done all the internal work. Our app does allow for it to work, and it works well. When the time comes, we’ll be able to launch it seamlessly having already gone through testing. The same will happen with Samsung Pay which will come at a late date as well and we’re currently going through the development to allow for debit cards to also work on Apple Pay,” Gayle added. Although Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are both well known, Jamaicans are also interested in Google Pay which is another payment alternative offered by Alphabet Inc. However, BNSJ will not be making that option available in Jamaica despite its sister operations in the Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic having access to Google Pay. When asked why Google Pay wouldn’t be added to Jamaica, Gayle responded, “So, currently, what we’re currently working on is only Apple [Pay], but the comment kind of touches on most entities. They decide which markets they want to operate in. The FIs will typically work with them as they go through a development period to make sure that our apps, online services, can tie in to the various platforms. So, there’s a lot of work being done because we’re an international bank. So, we do provide these services in other territories where it is available, and once it becomes available in Jamaica, because that work is already done, we’ll be able to offer that to the public.” BNSJ added contactless payment availability at POS devices with smartwatch maker Garmin in 2023. BNSJ’s announcement of the new payment partners comes months after it added RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) capabilities to its online banking platform and mobile application in mid-May. However, it was taken off both digital portals in June before being added back in mid-August. BNSJ is also seeking to add online wire transfer capabilities and allow for more customers to do these international transfers by themselves. As it currently stands, in order to initiate an outgoing wire transfer, a client has to fill out a form or email a banking representative to start this process. “Today in Jamaica, our international payment system is still built on SWIFT, and we still largely receive and remit international payments via an old payment methodology which still exists globally called wire transfers. In order to receive international payments, largely, we’re doing that through the SWIFT program which is managing that through wire transfers. A number of institutions, including ourselves, we’re bringing new payment platforms to the market. Apple Pay is coming to the market, but again, it will be within the local market operations,” said SGJ President and Chief Executive Officer Audrey Tugwell Henry. The entry of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to the Jamaican markets comes just a year after NCBJ launched NCB Pay in March 2023. That allowed for NCBJ customers to use their mobile phones pay at POS devices either locally or internationally. That move is set to be followed by the ongoing development to allow peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers via NCBJ’s card rails to allow 24/7 transfers with anyone that has a Visa or Mastercard branded card. NCBJ has an estimated 70 per cent market share of the 29,212 POS devices in the Jamaican market and dominates the credit card market as well. TFOB (2021) Limited, operators of the Lynk mobile app, have also been working to get

GSOG co-winners RockWildaz, Simple Touch enjoying new doors opened The Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) Sound Clash has proven to be a game-changer for RockWildaz and Simple Touch, the newly crowned co-winners of the competition. The exposure from a global platform has not only boosted both sound systems’ visibility and respect within the sound clash community but also opened doors for increased bookings and collaborations with artistes, setting the stage for both teams to expand their influence and impact within the industry. “This competition has given us a platform far beyond what we ever imagined… [W]e have been getting more requests than we imagined,” DJ Danejah of RockWildaz said as he reflected on the journey since the end of this season’s GSOG tournament. Both RockWildaz and Simple Touch emerged from communities in which music was more than just background noise — it is a way of life. Hailing from Carlisle, Red Bank, St Elizabeth, Simple Touch nurtured the dream of becoming DJs from an early age. “⁠Music was always a constant in our lives. Surrounded by it, we often attended Round Robins, where we watched older DJs and MCs in action. It was in those moments that our inspiration truly took root. Now, we are here, doing what we love, just like those men we admired,” reflected Simple Touch’s DJ Axy. Similarly, RockWildaz, with roots in Central Village, Big Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine, had their sights set on a career in music from their childhood years. However, despite the challenge of unpaid gigs when they just came on the scene, their unwavering passion for music eventually led to recognition and paid opportunities. “Growing up I always told myself I’d become one of Jamaica’s biggest DJs. With this mindset I knew that, no matter what, I’d stay true to my passion because I believed in myself and others believed in me,” DJ Kre Kre admitted. The journey to becoming co-winners of GSOG 2024 was marked by intense preparation and strategic execution. Said DJ Levon of Simple Touch: “The preparation was nerve-racking because we wanted to show our ability as top-tier, but eventually it was enough to get us a spot as co-winners.” Reflecting on the competition, DJ Axy of Simple Touch shared: “It was an incredible experience participating in the competition, from the qualifying round to the championship. We’ve learnt so much along the way, and we must applaud Guinness for giving us the platform to showcase our talent.” With the wisdom gained, RockWildaz and Simple Touch now offer advice to aspiring DJs. DJ Danejah emphasised: “Believe in yourself and work assiduously on your craft. Hard work, smart work, consistency, and promotion are essential for success.” “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” added DJ Levon As they look ahead, both teams are embracing their new chapter with renewed purpose. RockWildaz, who once doubted their place in the clash arena, are now making strategic moves to solidify their presence. “We never knew we could be at this level, but now we’re definitely making some moves,” added DJ Kre Kre. For Simple Touch, DJ Axy expressed their excitement about the future. “[W]e’re thrilled about what lies ahead. We’re now looking forward to accepting international bookings and participating in clashes both locally and globally,” he said. RockWildaz and Simple Touch are ready to seize the new opportunities their victory has brought, hoping too that they will inspire the next generation of sound clash champions with their passion.

PNP says report that five of its members are being investigated for corruption/illicit enrichment designed to mislead THE People’s National Party (PNP) has scoffed at a report published by the Jamaica Observer that five of its members and three politicians linked to the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) are being investigated for corruption/illicit enrichment. “We want to make it unequivocally clear to the public that this reporting by the Jamaica Observer is entirely separate from the eight sitting Members of Parliament cited by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment. The allegations reported by the Observer are not part of the ongoing investigation by the Integrity Commission (IC) into the eight sitting MPs accused of illicit enrichment. “This is a blatant attempt by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and its media allies to confuse and mislead the public, thereby creating unnecessary confusion,” said PNP President Mark Golding in a mid-morning release on Tuesday. According to Golding, the PNP firmly maintains its position that any parliamentarian — whether from its side or the JLP — who is implicated and found guilty of illicit enrichment or unexplained wealth should face the full force of the law. “Such individuals should be dismissed from public office and barred from ever holding public office again. The PNP stands resolute in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance,” Golding said in the release. He pointed to the information in the Observer’s story published Tuesday, headlined ‘Corruption nightmare’, which stated that in almost all of the cases, the allegations have been made to the IC by people who claim to have information surrounding acts of corruption/illicit enrichment, but there is no documentation to support these allegations. “In other words, malicious stories may have been concocted and sent to the Integrity Commission for partisan political reasons, without any foundation whatsoever,” said Golding as he reiterated that he has directly consulted with all sitting representatives of the party in the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. “Following these discussions, every PNP parliamentarian and senator has confirmed that they are not aware of being investigated by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment,” added Golding. He urged members of the public to, “remain vigilant and recognise this report for what it is — a deliberate distraction from the Integrity Commission’s investigation into the eight sitting MPs identified for illicit enrichment. Any suggestions made by the Observer should not be conflated with the ongoing investigations by the Integrity Commission”. Golding added: “This is a serious moment in Jamaica’s political history, and we urge all Jamaicans to rely on credible, verified information rather than allowing partisan media outlets to distort the truth.”

The next wave of electric vehicles in Jamaica ONCE reserved for the wealthy, electric vehicles (EVs) are on the brink of becoming a common sight on Jamaica’s roads as more affordable models enter the market. That’s according to group marketing manager at ATL Automotive, Christina Taylor who explained that the Jamaican market is evolving beyond high-end luxury models. A growing line-up of options, alongside expanding charging infrastructure, is expected to drive the shift from luxury to mainstream electric vehicles — ultimately reshaping how Jamaicans approach transportation and sustainability in the near future. “When we first started debuting EVs in Jamaica it was the high-end models — the Jaguar, Audi, the BMWs — but now, moving into 2025, we are going to have hatchbacks, the MG 4 EV, subcompact SUVs, the Kia EV 5. So, we are going to have more attractive EV pricing than we have ever seen,” Taylor said. She was speaking at a forum hosted by Evergo earlier this week on e-mobility in Jamaica ,under the theme ‘Charge Forward: Empowering Jamaica’s E-Mobility Vision’. “You’re looking at $5 million for a subcompact SUV, which makes it comparable with other price points,” she added. ATL’s introduction of “more affordable” EV models in motor cars aligns with global trends whereby affordability is driving mass adoption. In regions such as Europe and China the entry of cost-effective EV models has shifted the market dynamic, making electric cars a practical choice for a wider range of consumers. Jamaica is poised to follow this trend, with a growing array of affordable options likely to accelerate local adoption. In Jamaica the landscape has shifted significantly. Dealers now offer a range of 10 different lines and eight brands of EVs that were previously unavailable. “BYD is also at a very attractive price point. It took us at ATL two years to secure the contract with BYD. BYD only produces battery cars, forklifts, garbage trucks, buses etc, and so for them to have the confidence to bring in a new energy vehicle brand speaks volumes about the faith they have in our market,” Taylor said. Most recent data from the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Technology (MSETT) shows a surge in EV imports over the past three years, rising from just 36 in 2020 to almost 280 in 2023. Stakeholders interpret this as a clear sign of growing interest in electric vehicles. Much of this growth has been facilitated by the financial institutions that have come out with special rates for consumers purchasing electric vehicles. But as the market for affordable EVs grows, so does the need for robust charging infrastructure. Jamaica Public Service Company and Evergo have both embraced the responsibility of advancing e-mobility. Since 2020 the two companies have invested heavily in this emerging sector, and while it remains a loss-making venture, at least for Evergo, that’s expected to change soon. “What we are now seeing is a proliferation of new vehicles coming in; we are seeing more BEVs than plug-in hybrid so they are consuming more power, which translates to more revenues for us,” McKenzie said. “Is it that we are making money now for it to be successful? The answer is going to be no because, as we said before, we are making heavy investments. We are not in the block as yet but we are approaching there,” he added. Still, the projected growth in EVs to bring both JPS and Evergo closer to their financial target point by 2026 is not only expected to come from the ordinary Jamaicans purchasing EVs but with private companies transitioning to EV fleets. The Government will also play a crucial role in driving Jamaica’s EV transition. Current targets aim for 16 per cent of the GOJ’s vehicle fleet to be electric by 2023, and 12 per cent for the private sector. “The hope is that by 2050 Jamaica will get to 100 per cent EV within the GOJ fleet,” chief technical director at the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Technology, Bryan Richardson said.

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, 72, was recovering and “out of danger” Tuesday following emergency heart surgery, a representative told AFP. Weinstein, who is being held at New York’s Rikers Island prison, was rushed to hospital overnight Sunday to Monday for the operation. “He’s resting. He’s weak,” his spokesman Juda Engelmayer told AFP. “He’s out of danger at the moment.” Weinstein is serving a 16-year sentence after being convicted on rape charges by a California court. He had also been convicted by a New York court in 2020 of the rape and sexual assault of actor Jessica Mann and of forcibly performing oral sex on a production assistant. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in that case. An appeals court, however, overturned that conviction in April, a shock reversal in one of the defining cases of the #MeToo movement. He is now awaiting retrial in that case. Prosecutors say they may bring new sexual assault charges against him ahead of the retrial, and Weinstein was due to attend a procedural hearing in that case on Thursday. His lawyers have argued for a retrial in the California case, too. Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, said in July that his client’s health had deteriorated in prison. The once-powerful film mogul has made court appearances in a wheelchair, looking frail and pale. In 2017, the allegations against Weinstein helped launch the #MeToo movement, a watershed moment for women fighting sexual misconduct. More than 80 women accused him of harassment, sexual assault or rape, including prominent actors Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd. Weinstein says that any sexual relations in question were consensual.

HUMAITÁ, Brazil (AFP) — Only the youngest and strongest villagers now brave the crossing of a vast, blistering stretch of sand where, in normal times, the waters of the mighty Madeira River flow in the Brazilian Amazon. Residents of the village of Paraizinho — or “Little Paradise” — usually cross the river by canoe to reach the larger city of Humaita, a vital link to buy food and water, get healthcare and send their children to school. In drier times, this typically involves a short walk along a beach that appears as water levels drop. But as Brazil grapples with its worst drought in 70 years, the waters have continued to shrink, leaving a stretch of almost a kilometre (about 0.6 miles) of sand baking under temperatures of about 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). “Every year it is worse. Last year more than half (of the river) dried up. This year it has dried up almost to the other side,” Reis Santos Vieira, a 69-year-old farmer, told AFP. “And it is expected to get worse,” he added. The Madeira River, a major tributary of the Amazon River that stretches for 3,300 kilometres (2,050 miles) over Brazil and Bolivia, reached its lowest level since monitoring began in 1967 this week, according to the Brazilian Geological Service (SGB). Experts link Brazil’s historic drought to climate change. The parched conditions have fuelled wildfires in the Amazon and elsewhere in the country that have clouded major cities in smoke pollution. For much of the day, the dry riverbed becomes an inferno underfoot. The roughly one hundred residents of Paraizinho “are tackling that beach on foot to transport the food and water we need here. It’s a very difficult time,” complained Sandra Gomes Vieira. Last year, which also saw drought conditions, one of her daughters burned her foot crossing the riverbed. She has refused to go to school since the sand appeared this year. “My sister is undergoing treatment for cancer and can’t go to the city. Health personnel go to her house. I’m not very healthy either, but I still manage to get there,” said Gomes. Five community volunteers recently carried containers of drinking water barefoot from Humaita to Paraizinho that used to be easily transported on canoes across the river. “Here, we only have the help of these people. Only them and God,” said Francisca de Chaga da Silva, one of the water recipients. Community leader Joao Ferreira explained the water goes to “the most vulnerable families, who have patients with high blood pressure and diabetes”. Faced with the water shortage, residents treat river water with chlorine to bathe and wash dishes or clothes. The prolonged drought is also impacting economic activities in Paraizinho, mainly fishing and the sale of agricultural products. “The beach has grown a lot. Before, it was only two or three months” of drought, “now we are going for four, five months,” said Ferreira. Communities all along the banks of the Madeira River — an important route for the trade of soybeans, fish and fuel — are struggling. Some areas which also rely on Humaita have it worse than Paraizinho, residents of the village say, as they are even further away. Intense fires elsewhere in the Amazon have also brought a haze of smoke to the village and surrounding locale. Authorities blame human activity for most of the recent fires in the country, which are often linked to clearing land for agriculture. The weather “is hotter this year. There is also more smoke,” said Sandra Gomes. One of her daughters “has been feeling chest pains from the smoke. Before, she didn’t suffer from this problem”. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to announce measures to tackle the effects of the drought in the Amazon during a visit to the city of Manaus on Tuesday.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica will begin its participation in the multinational security support mission in Haiti with the deployment of 24 personnel Thursday, September 12 to provide command, planning and logistics support. The deployment will comprise 20 Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel and four Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Tuesday at Jamaica House. “The security forces continue, in a state of readiness, to support further deployment towards our overall commitment as the mission in Haiti is scaled up. Jamaica has close fraternal ties to the people of Haiti and we stand in solidarity with them,” Holness said. “Jamaica also has a national security interest in the situation in Haiti, one of our closest neighbours. It is in our interest to support a long-lasting resolution to the problems in Haiti,” he added. The prime minister said Haiti is an example of what could happen if states and governments do not take the problem of gangs seriously and put in place the measures and resources necessary to bring the problem under control. “It is a regional problem; the threat of gangs must not be viewed as only a citizen-to-citizen problem, where regular policing and the criminal justice system would be sufficient to address the [issue]. The threat is at a level in the region where gangs and the organised armed violence they produce is a threat to the very state,” he argued. Commending the members of the security forces who will be deployed to Haiti, Holness said “I wish them well. Obviously, we pray for their safety and security. I know their conduct will be exemplary and they will take every precaution for their personal safety.” He further acknowledged the support of the international partners, the United States and Canada in particular, and the work of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in supporting the process in Haiti. Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, in her remarks, said the JDF has been preparing for the deployment for over a year. “We are at the stage now where we can deploy the persons that we have committed to support the command element of the [security] mission,” Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman said. In July 2023, Prime Minister Holness addressed the United Nation’s Security Council on behalf of Caricom on the urgent need to have a resolution passed to give effect to the multinational security mission in Haiti. The resolution was passed in October 2023 which gave the appropriate jurisdictional basis for the multinational security support mission to operate. A trust fund was also established to give certainty around the funding of the operations of the multinational security mission. In March 2024, with the support of the United States and Canada, Jamaica brought other Caricom personnel together along with Jamaica’s own forces to begin training for deployment to Haiti. — JIS

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Vaz Preparatory School is celebrating 73 years of existence. in the Rollington Town community. The Dunoon Road, Kingston-based school began 73 years ago at the same location with three students, all relatives of the founder, Hazel Louise Vaz. The student population grew exponentially over the years, catering to students from all walks of society. Students of Vaz Preparatory enjoy a celebration ceremony at the school in acknowledgement of 73 years of service. (Photo: Ramon Thompson) A student of Vaz Preparatory participates in a celebration ceremony at the school in acknowledgement of 73 years of service. (Photo: Ramon Thompson) In its 73 years, Vaz Preparatory has only had three principals — the founder Vaz, her niece Beverly Wett and the current principal, Karlene Bisnott-Hemmings. The school has become known for its excellence across the board including in spelling bee competitions, sports, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission competitions and Junior School Challenge Quiz. Students of Vaz Preparatory stand in line during a celebration ceremony at the school in acknowledgement of 73 years of service. (Photo: Ramon Thompson) Students of Vaz Preparatory enjoy a celebration ceremony at the school in acknowledgement of 73 years of service. (Photo: Ramon Thompson) “We are proud of our rich legacy and continue to build on it to ensure that Mrs Vaz’s dream is fulfilled. We take great pride in working honestly in all we do as promoted by the school’s motto — Honest Labour Bears a Lovely Face,” Principal Bisnott-Hemmings said while commenting on the school’s anniversary. Principal of Vaz Preparatory, Karlene Bisnott-Hemmings. (Photo: Ramon Thompson)

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The US dollar on Tuesday, September 10 ended trading at $158.65 up by 36 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended at $117.47 up from $117.38, while the British pound sterling ended at $208.32 down from $210.43.

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — James Earl Jones, a versatile and award-winning American stage and screen actor who used his booming deep voice to bring the iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader to life, has died, his representatives said Monday. He was 93 years old. From the works of Shakespeare and August Wilson, to his indelible voiceovers in the blockbuster space saga, and as Mufasa in the Disney classic The Lion King, Jones earned fans with his ability to play both the everyman and the otherworldly. He won three Tony awards including a lifetime award, two Emmys, and a Grammy, as well as an honorary Oscar, also for lifetime achievement. In 1971 he became only the second black man nominated for an Academy Award for best actor, after Sidney Poitier. All of these accolades were hard-won, as Jones, who was born in segregated Mississippi on January 17, 1931, had to overcome a childhood stutter that often led him to barely speak at all. “Stuttering is painful. In Sunday school, I’d try to read my lessons and the children behind me were falling on the floor with laughter,” Jones told the Daily Mail in 2010. Reciting his own poetry, at the prodding of an English teacher, helped him to gain control of his voice, which would later be used to strike fear among millions in Star Wars as Darth Vader. Jones did not physically portray the character — David Prowse wore Vader’s black cape and imposing face mask, while Jones offered the voice, oozing the evil power of the Dark Side. “I am your father,” Vader tells Luke Skywalker, portrayed by Mark Hamill, in a pivotal fight scene in The Empire Strikes Back — a twist etched in cinema history. “He created, with very little dialogue, one of the greatest villains that ever lived,” Star Wars creator George Lucas said in 2015 at a ceremony honouring Jones in New York. From Mississippi, Jones moved to Michigan at age five, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents. Initially he studied to become a doctor, and though he shifted his major to drama, and graduated from the University of Michigan, he didn’t initially think about an acting career. “Even when I began acting studies I thought about being a soldier,” Jones told PBS public television in 1998. “And the idea of being an actor didn’t occur to me until after my service was almost finished.” After university, Jones served in the US Army and then moved to New York to try his luck in acting, working as a janitor at night to make ends meet. He made his Broadway debut in 1958 in Sunrise at Campobello at the Cort Theatre, which in 2022 was renamed the James Earl Jones Theatre. He tackled many iconic Shakespeare characters on the stage, including Othello and King Lear, but also performed in several Wilson plays, chronicling the black experience in America. “On stage, Jones was commanding, powerful. He embodied the elegance and dignity of African American men,” said director Kenny Leon. But the silver screen eventually came calling. Jones’ film debut came in 1964 as Lieutenant Zogg in Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War satire Dr Strangelove. Military roles would crop up throughout his career, notably Admiral Greer in three films about Tom Clancy’s beloved character Jack Ryan (The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger). As for kings, he has played a few — King Jaffe Joffer in the Eddie Murphy comedy Coming  to America (1988) and Mufasa, Simba’s father, in The Lion King (1994). His first major award came in 1969, a Tony for best actor in a play for The Great White Hope, in which he portrayed troubled but gifted boxer Jack Jefferson, based on the real-life Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion. Jones revived the role in a film adaptation of the play earning his sole Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award for the performance. In 2011, he won an honorary Academy Award. Even into his 80s, Jones was a force on Broadway, starring opposite Angela Lansbury in The Best Man in a 2012 revival — earning another Tony nomination in the process — and with Cicely Tyson in The Gin Game in 2015. And for years he greeted viewers of the cable news network CNN with the simple phrase: “This is CNN.” But his most famous role was ultimately the one for which he never appeared on screen. Lucas eventually chose between Jones and film legend Orson Welles for the role. “George thought he wanted a — pardon the expression — darker voice. So he hires a guy born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, who stutters and that’s the voice and that’s me,” Jones told the American Film Institute in 2009. Jones initially did not want to be credited for the film, as he felt his voiceovers were simply part of the movie’s special effects, but eventually conceded, and went on to voice the character in multiple films, television series, and video games. In his 90s, he stepped back from the role. But he signed over the rights to his voice recordings to a start-up that is working with Lucasfilm to preserve and recreate it for future projects using artificial intelligence. The technology was used in the Disney+ mini-series Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022, according to Vanity Fair. Jones’ second wife Cecilia died in 2016. They had one son.