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  • ‘We will remember The Boogieman’

    ‘We will remember The Boogieman’

    Jamaica’s cultural community gathered in solemn tribute this weekend to honor the monumental legacy of veteran broadcaster Barrington “Barry G” Gordon, whose voice became synonymous with the nation’s musical identity. At a heartfelt thanksgiving service held at Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew, Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia Grange led the nation in mourning the radio icon, celebrating his profound impact on Jamaican culture through his five-decade broadcasting career.

    Minister Grange eulogized Gordon as far more than a broadcaster—characterizing him as a master storyteller who chronicled Jamaica’s cultural evolution through carefully curated music selections. “The music you played bridged gaps, brought people together, and spoke to the heart of Jamaica,” she reflected. “You left an indelible mark on our culture, and we’ll never forget it.” The service, adorned in purple and white decorations, extended for three-and-a-half hours as musical tributes from artists like Nadine Sutherland, Carlene Davis, and Peter Lloyd filled the sanctuary, each acknowledging Gordon’s pivotal role in advancing their careers and promoting Jamaican music globally.

    The origin of Gordon’s legendary “The Boogieman” persona was detailed by former Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation colleague Tony Patel. He recounted how a young, ambitious Gordon seized an opportunity to host the Saturday night programme when the regular host became unavailable, revolutionizing radio engagement through innovative listener interaction techniques. “Barry brought a different approach to the programme,” Patel remembered, “communicating with his audience in a different way, having them calling, having them request music, and just doing things that hadn’t been tried before.”

    International tributes poured in from across the music world, with renowned disc jockey David Rodigan highlighting Gordon’s “razor-sharp wit and his great sense of humour” as endearing qualities that complemented his exceptional talent. Colleague Heather Cummings poetically defined Gordon’s essence through the eleven letters of his name: “brilliant, authentic, radiant, rhythmic, youthful, genuine, original, resilient, dynamic, outstanding, and nimble.”

    The most poignant moments came from Gordon’s personal circle. His widow, Josett Gordon, traced their relationship from their first meeting at a 1987 stage show to his final days, describing him as “a firm foundation through all the storms of my life.” His goddaughter, Jaden Vegas, emotionally credited Gordon for believing in her “when I did not even believe in myself,” highlighting his mentorship that prepared her for the broadcasting industry.

    Gordon passed away on October 29, 2025, at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland after an extended illness. His remains rested in a golden urn during the service as Jamaica celebrated the life of a man whose voice became the soundtrack of a nation, ensuring that while the broadcaster may be gone, his cultural legacy will resonate through generations.

  • Chasing sunshine and freedom

    Chasing sunshine and freedom

    At the age of 72, Errol McCarthy has finally realized his lifelong aspiration of returning to his Jamaican homeland after spending six decades in England. His journey began at just 12 years old when he left Jamaica’s rural Trelawny parish with his sister for Birmingham, initiated by his mother’s petition for their relocation in 1965.

    The transition from Jamaica’s warm, sun-drenched landscapes to England’s industrial chill proved profoundly challenging for McCarthy. He recalls experiencing significant culture shock, mourning the loss of carefree childhood activities like swimming in rivers, playing ball, and freely enjoying tropical fruits. “Everything in England you have to pay for,” McCarthy reflected during an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “You go to the park—there’s no free fruit, no apples, no beer, no nothing.”

    Despite the initial difficulties with England’s cold, foggy environment and industrial pollution, McCarthy adapted through determination. He progressed through factory and hospital work before qualifying as a home care organizer in social services, eventually specializing in elderly residential care. It was in England that he met his Jamaican wife, with whom he shared the dream of eventual retirement in their homeland.

    The couple strategically planned their return for years, purchasing property in St. Elizabeth and constructing a home. They finalized their move in September 2025, though their homecoming coincided with catastrophic Hurricane Melissa just one month later. The Category 5 storm devastated western Jamaica, testing their resilience immediately upon return.

    McCarthy described the hurricane experience as terrifyingly different from watching disaster coverage abroad. Despite hours spent battling water intrusion and nearly four months without electricity or internet, the couple demonstrated remarkable community spirit by sharing their stored supplies with affected neighbors.

    Now settled, McCarthy expresses absolute contentment with his decision, emphasizing the cultural connection, culinary pleasures, and social freedoms he’s rediscovered. “If I don’t have to go back for any reason, I don’t want to go back,” he stated with evident joy, acknowledging the rarity of successfully executing such long-term retirement plans among diaspora Jamaicans.

  • Kelly Ann Beckford sets meet record

    Kelly Ann Beckford sets meet record

    Jamaican track and field athletes delivered a spectacular series of performances across multiple prestigious collegiate meets in the United States over the weekend, headlined by Kelly Ann Beckford’s record-shattering run in Philadelphia. At the Penn Classic’s second day, Beckford demolished both the meet and facility records in the Women’s 800m Invitational, clocking an impressive 2:01.83 minutes. This achievement comes just one week after she established a new national indoor record in the 600m event. Her time surpassed previous benchmarks set by Nia Akins (2:03.16) and Janna Segrave (2:03.34), both established during the previous season. Meanwhile, at the University of Arkansas’s Woo Pig Classic, Olympic and World Championships finalist Ackelia Smith claimed victory in the women’s long jump with a commanding 6.60m leap. National record holder Nickisha Pryce achieved a season’s best of 51.61 seconds in the 400m, finishing behind training partner Amber Anning’s world-leading 50.51 seconds and Britton Wilson’s 51.46 seconds. Additional standout performances included Demisha Roswell’s dominant display at the Charlie Thomas Invitational, where she secured the women’s 60m hurdles title in 8.09 seconds after previously breaking the meet record twice during preliminaries. Former Jamaican high school stars continued to impress, with Abigail Campbell (University of Arkansas) and Zion Bennett (Wofford College) delivering notable performances in their respective events. The collective achievements demonstrate Jamaica’s deepening pipeline of athletic talent excelling at the collegiate level.

  • Racing and MBU meet in top of the table clash

    Racing and MBU meet in top of the table clash

    A high-stakes confrontation is set to unfold in the Jamaica Premier League as second-placed Racing United prepares to host league leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) at Ferdie Neita Park this afternoon at 3:00 pm. This marquee matchup features the competition’s two most potent offensive squads, separated by just seven points in the standings.

    MBU enters the contest riding an impressive unbeaten streak that has persisted since the beginning of the calendar year, collecting 19 of 21 possible points while demonstrating defensive dominance by outscoring opponents 14-1. Coach Xavier Gilbert strategically rested several key players during last Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Molynes, indicating his deliberate preparation for this critical encounter.

    Racing United seeks to overcome historical challenges against MBU, having lost three of their four previous meetings. Despite being a second-year franchise, the team has established itself as a formidable contender, consistently maintaining top-three positioning throughout the season. Their offensive firepower is led by Tajay Grant’s 11 goals, complemented by Nickyle Ellis’s contributions, together accounting for 18 of the team’s 34 total scores.

    MBU’s record-breaking offense has already surpassed 40 goals this season, powered by Jourdain Fletcher (12 goals) and Dwight Merrick—both recently featured in the national Reggae Boyz squad that defeated Grenada. Veteran players Brian Brown and Owayne Gordon have additionally maintained consistent scoring form.

    In other league action, Mount Pleasant FA pursues their fourth consecutive victory against Treasure Beach FC, leveraging the league’s most formidable defense that has conceded merely nine goals across 18 matches. Simultaneously, the perennial rivalry between Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens resumes at Stadium East, where historical intensity typically outweighs current form.

    Portmore United carries psychological advantage into their match against Harbour View, having defeated their opponents five consecutive times. Harbour View’s newly appointed coach Lenworth Hyde aims to replicate the encouraging 2-2 draw against Tivoli Gardens from his debut match as the club battles relegation concerns.

    Additional fixtures include Waterhouse FC attempting to extend their three-game winning streak against Dunbeholden FC, while Molynes United faces Chapelton Maroons at Constant Spring. The matchweek concludes Monday with Cavalier SC hosting Spanish Town Police FC at Stadium East.

  • Prof Laxley W Stephenson reframes global leadership in new book: The Growth Mindset Blueprint Master Class

    Prof Laxley W Stephenson reframes global leadership in new book: The Growth Mindset Blueprint Master Class

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Professor Laxley W Stephenson, a Jamaican-born growth mindset strategist and humanitarian based in Atlanta, has made a significant intervention in global leadership discourse with his newly released work, ‘The Growth Mindset Blueprint Master Class’. This publication transcends conventional motivational literature by presenting a comprehensive leadership system that addresses the critical implications of stagnation in today’s complex global landscape.

    The book’s foundational thesis presents a compelling paradigm: growth represents an essential responsibility rather than a mere option. Through insights derived from his A Collision With Purpose Movement, Stephenson reconceptualizes mindset as the fundamental architecture underlying organizational culture, performance metrics, adaptive capacity, and resilience mechanisms. The work contends that leadership effectiveness stems not merely from strategic planning but from the core belief systems that inform decision-making during challenging circumstances.

    Distinguishing itself through practical application, the publication functions as an active operational tool rather than passive reading material. It systematically identifies constraining belief patterns, critically examines leadership behaviors, and establishes rigorous accountability frameworks. While Stephenson’s companion volume, ‘Living the Growth Mindset Blueprint’, extends these principles into daily practice, the foundational text establishes mindset as the decisive factor in institutional achievement or collapse.

    The author’s expertise blends academic rigor with hands-on humanitarian leadership experience. As Founder and CEO of Global Humanity Network Inc., Stephenson’s perspectives are informed by extensive field engagement across Jamaica, the Caribbean region, African nations, and global diaspora communities. This empirical grounding provides the publication with exceptional credibility beyond theoretical constructs, connecting directly to contemporary leadership challenges.

    Ultimately, the work serves as a confrontational instrument rather than an inspirational one, posing a fundamental question to leaders worldwide: What are the true consequences of resisting change? Stephenson provides Jamaican and international readers with a structured framework for deliberate development, emphasizing that transformation requires disciplined cognition, purposeful action, and sustained accountability rather than mere assumption.

    Both ‘The Growth Mindset Blueprint’ and its companion volume are currently available for acquisition through ACollisionWithPurpose.com and Amazon distribution channels.

  • Gov’t committed to supporting business, says Seiveright

    Gov’t committed to supporting business, says Seiveright

    Jamaica’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce has reinforced its commitment to supporting domestic corporations in their expansion efforts, both locally and internationally. Delano Seiveright, Minister of State, conducted an official visit to GraceKennedy’s digital factory located on Belmont Road in St Andrew this Wednesday, underscoring the administration’s dedication to fostering innovation and economic growth.

    During the engagement, Minister Seiveright emphasized the Government’s strategic backing for Jamaican enterprises seeking to enhance global competitiveness. He highlighted the importance of developing robust domestic and international linkages, scaling innovation-driven operations, and accelerating value creation across industries. The Minister’s tour specifically showcased GraceKennedy’s digital transformation initiatives and customer-centric solutions that are being implemented throughout its operational framework.

    GraceKennedy, a premier Jamaican conglomerate with annual group revenues surpassing US$1.1 billion, maintains a workforce of over 2,000 direct employees while supporting thousands more through its extensive value chain. The visit particularly highlighted the development of GK One and the group’s ongoing commitment to innovation, creative problem-solving, and prioritizing customer experience in all business segments.

    The ministerial visit represents part of a broader governmental outreach to major stakeholders in Jamaica’s business sector, aimed at strengthening economic resilience, expanding export capabilities, and generating high-quality employment opportunities nationwide.

  • Opposition cries ‘back-door politics’ as FID Bill passes Senate

    Opposition cries ‘back-door politics’ as FID Bill passes Senate

    Jamaica’s Senate has approved contentious amendments to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) Act, eliminating the requirement for ministerial approval of information-sharing agreements while introducing new provisions that have sparked vigorous debate about potential political influence.

    The legislation, passed using the government’s parliamentary majority, removes the long-standing mandate for the FID to obtain direct ministerial authorization before establishing data exchange protocols with both domestic and international agencies. The reform introduces constitutional and policy framework safeguards intended to modernize the agency’s operations.

    Opposition senators mounted substantial resistance to a specific clause requiring information sharing to align with “government policy,” warning this creates a backdoor for political interference. Senator Lambert Brown argued that equating policy with constitutional protections creates ambiguity that could allow future administrations to manipulate sensitive intelligence flows.

    “The removal of the minister’s approval appears progressive but inserting ‘government policy’ essentially replaces direct control with indirect influence,” Brown contended during Senate deliberations. He emphasized that intelligence sharing should be governed strictly by constitutional and parliamentary standards rather than political considerations.

    Government representatives defended the legislation as a necessary modernization. Senator Sherene Golding Campbell asserted that “government policy” operates within established legal boundaries and provides essential guidance for international cooperation, which constitutes a core FID function.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith closed the debate by emphasizing the amendment’s alignment with global financial security standards set by the Financial Action Task Force and Egmont Group. She stated the changes enhance Jamaica’s compliance with international best practices while maintaining constitutional protections against abuse.

    The legislative overhaul aims to strengthen Jamaica’s financial crime investigation capabilities and harden its financial system against illicit activities, though concerns persist about the practical implementation of policy-guided information sharing.

  • Man Utd make hay after Spurs’ Romero sees red

    Man Utd make hay after Spurs’ Romero sees red

    MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Manchester United capitalized on a pivotal first-half red card shown to Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero to secure a decisive 2-0 Premier League victory at Old Trafford on Saturday. The result extends the team’s flawless run under interim manager Michael Carrick to four consecutive matches.

    The match’s trajectory shifted dramatically in the 29th minute when Romero received his marching orders for a reckless challenge on United’s Casemiro. The Argentine center-back, already under scrutiny for recent off-field comments, lunged in dangerously after losing possession near his own box, earning his second dismissal of the season.

    United’s breakthrough came through Bryan Mbeumo, who expertly found the bottom corner for his third goal in four games since Carrick’s appointment. The well-worked set-piece involved a clever short corner between Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo that created space for Mbeumo on the edge of the area.

    Despite dominating possession and having two further goals disallowed for offside, United ensured the points were safe only in the 81st minute. Captain Bruno Fernandes sealed the victory by tapping in Diogo Dalot’s cross at the far post, marking his 200th direct goal contribution for the club.

    The victory holds significant implications for the Premier League table. Manchester United now sits comfortably in the top four, moving within two points of third-placed Aston Villa and establishing a five-point buffer over sixth-placed Liverpool. The win also ends an eight-match winless streak against Tottenham for the Red Devils.

    For Tottenham, the defeat compounds a miserable season that sees them languishing in 14th position, with Champions League qualification through league placement mathematically impossible. Romero’s indiscipline—his sixth red card as a Spurs player—raises serious questions about his future as captain and will see him serve a four-match suspension.

    The performance strengthens Carrick’s candidacy for the permanent managerial position as he continues to oversee United’s remarkable resurgence following the departure of Ruben Amorim last month.

  • Senate backs amendment to FAA Act

    Senate backs amendment to FAA Act

    Jamaica’s Senate has enacted significant legislative changes to the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act, fundamentally restructuring the National Natural Disaster Reserve Fund (NNDRF) operations. The Friday vote in the Upper House eliminated both the monetary ceiling on disaster reserve holdings and the requirement for annual transfers from the Consolidated Fund once the NNDRF balance reaches $10 billion.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who spearheaded the legislative amendments, clarified that the revisions remove provisions for mandatory $200 million transfers during the 2023/2024 financial year. She emphasized that the NNDRF was originally established through the FAA Amendment Act 2024 to create a comprehensive financial mechanism for disaster response, drawing from Consolidated Fund allocations, natural disaster instrument triggers, and other designated revenue streams.

    Minister Johnson Smith highlighted the fund’s critical purpose: enabling immediate fiscal response to disasters impacting Jamaica with economic consequences equivalent to or exceeding 1.5% of GDP. The senator reflected that the original $10 billion threshold seemed ambitious when established in 2024, particularly given the unexpected severity of recent events like Hurricane Melissa.

    The government official detailed Jamaica’s innovative multi-layered disaster risk financing framework, noting the country’s pioneering status as the first small nation to sponsor its own catastrophe bond—an achievement magnified by global attention following Hurricane Melissa. Johnson Smith confirmed that the hurricane activated multiple financial instruments, generating resource flows substantially surpassing the $10 billion mark. She clarified that while the amendments remove the $10 billion cap, this figure remains a significant operational threshold.

    During legislative deliberations, Opposition Senators expressed concerns regarding the discontinuation of annual $200 million transfers amid increasing climate-related disasters, questioning the timing and rationale behind these fiscal policy changes.

  • UK supports opening of state-of-the-art Essex Valley Agro‑Processing Facility

    UK supports opening of state-of-the-art Essex Valley Agro‑Processing Facility

    The United Kingdom has significantly bolstered Jamaica’s agricultural infrastructure with a J$7.6 billion (JMD) investment in a cutting-edge agro-processing facility and administrative complex in Essex Valley, St Elizabeth. The project, officially inaugurated on Wednesday, represents a major stride in enhancing the island nation’s food security, climate resilience, and agricultural productivity.

    Executed through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) and implemented in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Jamaican Government, this initiative stands as one of Britain’s most substantial agricultural investments in Jamaica. The ceremony gathered high-profile attendees including Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, and diplomatic representatives from both nations.

    The newly operational facility will serve farmers across St Elizabeth—renowned as Jamaica’s primary agricultural region—enabling more efficient storage, processing, and marketing of produce. This development directly addresses market access challenges while strengthening defenses against increasingly severe climate impacts.

    Beyond physical infrastructure, the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project has already delivered substantial community benefits: 810 hectares of irrigated farmland, 62 kilometers of improved agricultural roads, new solar power systems operating the irrigation network with renewable energy, and 30 food safety facilities enhancing compliance with handling standards.

    UK Development Representative Andrew Bowden emphasized the critical importance of resilient infrastructure, noting that despite Hurricane Melissa’s recent impact on St Elizabeth, the new construction withstood the extreme weather. “When storms come – and as climate change makes them stronger – infrastructure that withstands those storms become part of the response, not part of the damage,” Bowden stated.

    The human development component has been equally prioritized, with over 600 farmers receiving training—including significant participation from women, youth, and persons with disabilities—fostering a more inclusive agricultural workforce.

    Prime Minister Holness expressed gratitude for the UK’s targeted support through UKCIF, which has allocated J$11.61 billion to Jamaican agricultural projects to date. CDB Division Chief Dr. Martin Baptiste characterized the initiative as “one of the most ambitious and transformational agricultural investments undertaken in Jamaica in recent years,” highlighting its core vision of establishing sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture as the foundation for rural prosperity.