KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a heartwarming display of community care and environmental stewardship, Petrojam volunteers joined forces with seniors and staff at the Denham Town Golden Age Home to celebrate National Tree Planting Day. The initiative saw the planting of fruit trees and vibrant flowers across the property, fostering a serene and therapeutic environment for the residents.
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Number of children displaced in Haiti nearly doubles to 680,000—UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed on Wednesday that approximately 680,000 children in Haiti have been displaced due to escalating gang violence, marking a near doubling of the figure from the previous year. The agency emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis engulfing the Caribbean nation. In a stark report, UNICEF highlighted that over 3.3 million children are in dire need of humanitarian aid, describing their plight as a ‘daily struggle for survival.’ Roberto Benes, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, underscored the severity of the situation, stating, ‘Haiti is at a breaking point. This generation cannot keep waiting for help to come.’ The UN has documented over 2,269 grave violations against 1,373 children in 2024 alone, including killings, injuries, sexual violence, and forced recruitment by gangs. Alarmingly, UNICEF estimates that 2.7 million people, including 1.6 million women and children, reside in gang-controlled territories, constituting nearly a quarter of Haiti’s population. The report warned that without immediate restoration of protection services, an entire generation risks growing up in a perpetual state of fear, violence, and exploitation.
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At least 14 soldiers killed in South Sudan as ‘love triangle’ turns bloody
A tragic incident in South Sudan has left at least 14 soldiers dead and several others injured, raising concerns about the fragile peace in the region. The shootout, which occurred on Monday in a market near the oil-rich Abyei Box region, was reportedly triggered by a personal dispute involving a suspected “love triangle.” The clash involved members of the Unified VIP Protection Force, a unit composed of both government troops and opposition fighters.
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World economy not doing as badly as feared, says IMF chief
The global economy is demonstrating unexpected resilience despite facing prolonged uncertainties and subdued medium-term growth prospects, according to Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Georgieva noted that while the global economy is performing ‘better than feared, it remains worse than necessary.’ The IMF now anticipates only a slight slowdown in global growth this year and next, buoyed by stronger-than-expected conditions in the United States and several advanced and emerging economies.
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Man arrested over deadly January fire in Los Angeles — authorities
LOS ANGELES, United States — A significant breakthrough has been made in the investigation of the devastating Palisades Fire that ravaged an upscale Los Angeles suburb earlier this year. Authorities announced on Wednesday the arrest of a 29-year-old man, Jonathan Rinderknecht, who is suspected of igniting the blaze. Rinderknecht was apprehended in Florida and faces charges of destruction of property by means of fire. Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, ‘The complaint alleges that a single individual’s reckless actions led to one of the most catastrophic fires in Los Angeles history, causing loss of life and extensive damage in Pacific Palisades.’ The fire, which erupted in January, left a trail of destruction in its wake, highlighting the severe consequences of such incidents. The arrest marks a critical step in holding those responsible accountable and providing some measure of justice to the affected community.
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Fraser-Pryce to be honoured at ATHLOS on Friday
Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be celebrated this Friday at the debut ATHLOS event, hosted at New York’s Icahn Stadium, in recognition of her extraordinary career on the track. The event, which will also feature a women-only professional track and field competition, will honor Fraser-Pryce as a guest of honor. This tribute comes just days after the iconic sprinter officially announced her retirement from competitive athletics, concluding a remarkable 18-year journey that has inspired millions globally. Known for her unparalleled speed and resilience, Fraser-Pryce has been a dominant figure in the sport since her breakthrough at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With three Olympic gold medals and ten World Championship titles to her name, her retirement marks the end of an era for one of track and field’s most celebrated athletes. ATHLOS, in a social media post, highlighted her legacy, stating, ‘Icons don’t just run fast, they move generations.’
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Gray could miss World Cup qualifier against Curacao
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Observer has received credible information indicating that Demarai Gray, a pivotal winger for the Reggae Boyz, might be sidelined for Friday’s crucial Concacaf World Cup qualifier against Curacao. Gray sustained an injury during a training session at Sabina Park on Tuesday, casting uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming match. While the severity of his injury remains unclear, his absence would be a significant blow to the team. Gray previously missed September’s fixtures against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago due to injury. Speculation has arisen that Chelsea’s Dujuan “Whisper” Richards could step in as a replacement, though reliable sources have tempered such claims for now. Currently, the team faces no additional injury concerns, with only Kasey Palmer and Isaac Hayden ruled out due to suspension. Jamaica, leading their group with six points, will face Curacao, who have four points, at the Ergilio Hato Stadium on Friday at 6:00 pm. The stakes are high, as only the group winner will secure a spot in next summer’s FIFA World Cup.
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‘Call To Balance’ among those vying for 2026 Grammy nomination
Miami-based singer-songwriter Kēvens has achieved a significant milestone in his musical career with his album, ‘Call To Balance,’ being considered for two prestigious Grammy Award categories: Album of the Year and Best Global Album. Initially submitted for Best Reggae Album, the album’s unique fusion of dub, reggae, and dancehall has captured the attention of the Grammy Awards committee. Kēvens, a pioneer in blending reggae with electronic dance music (EDM), traces his musical roots back to South Florida’s vibrant underground scene in the 1990s. His innovative sound, first introduced at the 1998 Florida Zenfest, has evolved into a global phenomenon. ‘Call To Balance’ features socially conscious tracks like ‘Save Me’ and ‘Sonadores Legales,’ the latter being a Spanish rendition of ‘Legal Dreamers,’ marking his return to the music scene after a two-year hiatus. Influenced by Jamaican legends such as Yellowman, Super Cat, and Tenor Saw, Kēvens also collaborated with renowned musicians like Randy Bernsen and Charles Norkus, who mentored him in his early career. The nominees for the 68th Grammy Awards will be unveiled on November 7, with the ceremony set to take place on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
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Victoria Beckham reveals struggle to reinvent herself in Netflix series
In a revealing three-part documentary set to premiere on Netflix this Thursday, Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer, candidly shares her struggles and triumphs in reinventing herself after the iconic British girl band disbanded. Known for her ‘Posh Spice’ persona, Beckham, now 51, reflects on her public image, admitting, ‘People thought I was that miserable cow that never smiled.’
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The Executive is overrunning the legislature, warns Campbell
In a recent debate in Jamaica’s House of Representatives, Dr. Dayton Campbell, the Opposition Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Eastern, raised concerns about the Executive branch’s dominance over the legislature. The debate centered on a motion to appoint members to sessional committees, introduced by Floyd Green, the Leader of Government Business. Green also announced the chairmen of these committees, a move the Opposition claims violates Parliament’s Standing Orders. Phillip Paulwell, the Leader of Opposition Business, emphasized that committee chairmen should be elected by members during their first meeting, as per the Standing Orders. The Opposition argued that the Government’s actions risk undermining the separation of powers, reducing transparency and accountability. Campbell, however, took a unique stance, highlighting the differences between Jamaica’s parliamentary system and the UK’s Westminster model. He noted that Jamaica’s smaller Parliament, with only 63 MPs, makes it easier for the Executive to dominate. Campbell pointed out that in the UK, with 650 MPs, the Executive does not overshadow the legislature to the same extent. He attributed the current issue to the majority of Government MPs being appointed to the Executive, leaving only five on the back benches. This imbalance, Campbell argued, is the root of the problem. The appointment of committee chairmen has been contentious since 2020, when Prime Minister Andrew Holness broke tradition by appointing Government members to chair most sessional committees, except for the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, which remain under Opposition control.