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A vigil held in Jamaica for Charlie Kirk, the slain American right-wing political activist, has ignited a wave of controversy among local Christians. Organized by the Love March Movement (LMM), a youth Christian group advocating for sexual purity and family values, the event took place on September 18, just eight days after Kirk was fatally shot on a Utah college campus. His death has deeply resonated with conservatives worldwide, prompting US President Donald Trump to vow a crackdown on the “radical left.”

Dr. Daniel Thomas, President of LMM, described Kirk as a martyr who died defending Christian values and biblical truth. He emphasized that the vigil connected LMM to millions globally who were moved by Kirk’s murder. “We were the 18th country to hold a vigil for him. His life inspired countless people, including many in Jamaica,” Dr. Thomas told the Jamaica Observer. He added that Kirk’s opposition to “wokism” and his promotion of peaceful debate were central to his mission.

Kirk, known for his conservative Christian political stance, often made inflammatory remarks targeting minorities, including transgender individuals, Muslims, and African Americans. His death has polarized opinions, with some hailing him as a martyr while others criticize his divisive rhetoric. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old arrested for the murder, faces the death penalty if convicted. Authorities allege that Robinson targeted Kirk due to his controversial views.

The vigil has drawn criticism from some Jamaican Christians, who argue that Kirk’s legacy does not align with Christian principles. Ry-Ann Reid, a local Christian, expressed disappointment, stating that Kirk’s advocacy for hate and violence against marginalized groups contradicted his professed faith. Stephanie Butler, another Christian, echoed this sentiment, noting that Kirk’s focus on political narratives overshadowed any genuine commitment to spreading Christianity.

Dr. Thomas defended the vigil, asserting that it was a time for reflection and mourning. He stressed that Kirk’s faith and leadership were central to his life, regardless of cultural differences. “We mourn the loss of a believer, a husband, and a father,” he said. The debate surrounding Kirk’s legacy highlights the complexities of his influence and the broader tensions within Christian communities.

Design Week 2025, now in its eighth year, is set to commence on Sunday, October 5, with a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation. This annual event, initiated by the Jamaica Observer, has been praised by long-standing partners such as the National Housing Trust (NHT) and ARC Manufacturing Limited for its role in driving sustainable development and community building. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at NHT, emphasized the importance of design in creating resilient and functional solutions that meet the evolving needs of Jamaicans. He highlighted Design Week as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration across various sectors, enabling NHT to engage with architects, designers, and thought leaders. Similarly, Novlet A Green, General Manager of Corporate Affairs & Governance at ARC Manufacturing Limited, noted that Design Week has enhanced the company’s brand visibility and stakeholder relations, particularly through its ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system. This year’s theme, ‘Creative Resilience,’ resonates with ARC’s ability to navigate market challenges and strengthen its tenacity. The event will feature seminars led by industry experts, addressing topics such as sustainable design, water resources, and lighting in design. Novia McDonald-Whyte, Senior Associate Editor of Lifestyle & Social Content at the Jamaica Observer, underscored the event’s mission to showcase Jamaica’s talented artisans and high-quality products to the world. Design Week 2025 promises a week of insightful discussions and innovative ideas, reinforcing its significance as a catalyst for creative and resilient design.

The National Housing Trust (NHT) in Jamaica is addressing long-standing criticisms regarding its loan amounts, which are often perceived as insufficient to cover the cost of homes. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at NHT, emphasizes the importance of applying for housing opportunities. “Once selected, we can discuss various tools and subsidies to make homeownership more affordable,” Berbick stated during an interview with the Jamaica Observer’s Real Estate on the Rock.

For properties on the open market, the NHT can lend up to $9 million to qualified individuals, while 100% financing is available for homes sold directly by the Trust. For instance, the Vineyard Town development offers 430-square-foot studio apartments priced at $15 million. A qualified individual earning at least $24,750 monthly can secure full financing, with monthly payments of $35,750 over a 40-year mortgage. Dual applicants would pay $38,750 monthly.

Berbick highlighted additional support mechanisms, such as home grants of up to $3.5 million for contributors earning less than $30,000 weekly with over seven years of contributions. Deferred financing is another option, allowing borrowers to pay 60% upfront and gradually cover the remaining 40% as their financial situation improves. The NHT also offers intergenerational mortgages, enabling younger family members to assist with repayments.

The NHT ensures affordability by selling homes at cost and applying subsidies in financing arrangements. “We aim to assist those who need it most,” Berbick explained. Despite high demand—evidenced by over 2,000 applications for the 14-unit Vineyard Town development on the first day—the NHT prioritizes applicants living or working near the developments and allocates units to special groups, including public sector workers and low-income earners.

Looking ahead, the NHT plans to release 210 units in Maxfield Park by year-end, part of its ongoing construction of 10,300 homes. Additionally, service lots in Malvern Housing Development, priced between $3.1 million and $5.8 million, offer 100% financing, allowing contributors to purchase land and begin construction using their NHT loan allotment.

Students at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, Jamaica, are grappling with a rodent infestation in their dormitories, a problem they claim has been exacerbated by the school’s inadequate response. The issue, which began shortly after the start of the academic year in late August, has seen rats invade dorm rooms, leaving behind trails of faeces and causing significant distress among residents. Female dormitories appear to be particularly affected, with students reporting rats gnawing on personal belongings and even entering rooms uninvited. Despite repeated complaints, students feel the administration’s efforts have been lacklustre, with only sporadic distribution of rat poison and limited action to address the root causes. CASE President Derrick Deslandes, however, disputes the severity of the situation, calling it a “false alarm” and attributing the problem to students’ failure to adhere to rules prohibiting food in dormitories. He acknowledged that the school’s proximity to woodland areas makes rodent control challenging but emphasized that students’ habit of discarding food and cooking illegally in dorms has worsened the issue. Deslandes outlined plans to complete repairs to the student centre, providing a designated area for meal preparation, and warned that violators of dorm policies would face disciplinary action. Meanwhile, students remain on high alert, frustrated by the lack of effective solutions and the ongoing presence of rodents and other pests like mongoose and roaches. The situation has sparked a broader debate about campus hygiene and the administration’s responsibility in ensuring a safe living environment.

Dr. Clayton Sewell, a leading forensic psychiatrist and head of the Psychiatry Department at the University Hospital of the West Indies, has highlighted the urgent need for a structured approach to address Jamaica’s escalating violence crisis. He attributes the growing desensitization to violence among Jamaicans to the pervasive exposure to graphic and brutal content on video-sharing platforms, coupled with real-life experiences. This repeated exposure, he argues, has normalized violence and altered societal norms, leading to a culture where violent expressions are often justified and even glorified. Dr. Sewell’s insights come in the wake of disturbing social media reactions to a video of a shoot-out, where some users described the incident as “entertaining” or “a very good shoot-out.” He warns that such desensitization can lead to severe psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a numbing of emotional responses to violence. The psychiatrist emphasizes that this issue is deeply entrenched in Jamaican culture, exacerbated by social media but rooted in decades of societal violence. To combat this, Dr. Sewell advocates for a multi-faceted approach, including reducing exposure to violent content, educating the population on non-violent conflict resolution, and promoting early childhood discipline that fosters pro-social behavior. He also calls for stricter monitoring of children’s social media usage and urges parents to adopt non-traumatic disciplinary methods. Dr. Sewell’s recommendations underscore the need for collective action to reshape societal attitudes and address the underlying causes of Jamaica’s violence crisis.