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  • ‘A crazy idea!’

    ‘A crazy idea!’

    Jamaica’s Minister of National Security and Peace, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Horace Chang, has drawn a firm line in the ongoing debate over police body camera use, stating unequivocally that officers will not be required to wear the devices during high-risk operations targeting armed criminals. He has publicly dismissed growing demands from civil society advocates for universal body camera use as an ill-conceived and dangerous proposal that puts law enforcement lives at unnecessary risk.

    The debate has intensified in recent months amid a sharp uptick in fatal police shootings across Jamaica, with civil society group Jamaicans For Justice leading repeated calls for mandatory camera deployment during all planned police operations to increase accountability. Chang, who has been locked in public disagreement with the advocacy group over the policy, laid out his full position during Wednesday’s weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, leaving no ambiguity about his stance.

    “This thing that you must wear a camera when you going to look for a man who has a M16 that’s firing 60 rounds per second is a crazy idea,” Chang stated during the briefing. He walked through the practical realities of high-stakes counter-gunman operations, explaining that when gunfire breaks out, officers prioritize taking cover before returning fire, and mandatory body cameras would create avoidable additional hazards. For early morning planned raids targeting dangerous wanted suspects, Chang said cameras are simply off the table.

    Noting that fugitive armed criminals often move more quickly than responding officers, Chang emphasized that stealth and surprise are critical to successful operations. “Cameras make them a target,” he explained, adding that officers entering these high-risk scenarios already face extreme danger, and any requirement that compromises their safety cannot be implemented. Unlike routine public interactions, these covert operations cannot afford elements that reveal officers’ positions or identities before they can engage suspects, he argued.

    Contrary to claims that the government opposes body camera use entirely, Chang clarified that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) already has access to body-worn cameras, with 1,000 additional units on order to expand the program, and all officers receive training on how to use the devices. Deployment decisions, he reiterated, rest solely with Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake, a position he first laid out during his sectoral debate address to Parliament Tuesday. Civil society groups have no authority to dictate how police equipment is deployed in the field, he added.

    Chang pointed out that body cameras are already in regular use for appropriate types of operations across Jamaica. For example, at least one officer involved in the national coordinated road check initiative — a program designed to disrupt gang activity and recover illegal firearms — wears a camera during these interactions. This use case aligns with how body cameras are deployed in the United States, where the technology was first adopted broadly to address racial profiling in routine traffic stops and public interactions, not for high-risk tactical SWAT operations. That model is comparable to the work of the JCF’s Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, which already uses cameras when engaging with the public, he noted.

    Currently, most local body camera use is for routine public-facing work: road checks and crowd management at entertainment events. Chang highlighted tangible public safety benefits from this existing deployment: since cameras were introduced for traffic stops, confrontations between police and taxi operators have dropped dramatically. “When last have you seen a video — because they used to go viral — of a policeman and a taximan fighting, or a policeman has to beat up a taximan? They don’t, because when the taximan or any driver sees a policeman with a camera and he stops a car, they behave themselves,” he said.

    The minister pushed back against what he described as a harmful colonial-era legacy of widespread public assumption that Jamaican authorities and elected officials are inherently corrupt. He argued that repeated calls for universal body camera use for all operations reinforces this false narrative, which he called an unfair misrepresentation of the JCF. “It assumes that those who have authority are corrupt, so the idea that the police is a corrupt body out there to extort people is a wrong legacy. It’s incorrect and I cannot support anything that seeks to reinforce that and that’s what the call for cameras to be used all the time does,” Chang said.

    He emphasized that while the government welcomes constructive criticism of law enforcement policy, it is long past time for the public to trust Jamaican police professionals and respect their expertise in operational planning. Acknowledging that the 14,000-strong JCF is not a perfect institution, and that a small number of officers have engaged in criminal misconduct, Chang noted that official data backs up the claim that bad actors are a tiny minority. Statistics from the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), Jamaica’s police oversight body, show that only 3.4 per cent of police officers charged with offenses in recent years have been convicted.

    Chang closed by repeating his call for civil society organizations to allow established oversight processes to run their course before issuing public statements or passing judgement on police operations. He said Indecom, as the independent investigative body, should be allowed to complete its work and release its findings before any public conclusions are drawn about officer conduct.

  • Cement shortage to ease next month, says IMAJ

    Cement shortage to ease next month, says IMAJ

    In the middle of a widespread cement shortage that has rippled across Jamaica’s construction sector and left hardware operators scrambling to stock supplies, regional manufacturer Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) has given formal assurances that normal supply levels will be restored by mid-May. The commitment came out of a scheduled meeting this week between CCCL executives and leadership of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), the industry’s leading trade group for local construction professionals.

    In an official statement released after Wednesday’s meeting, IMAJ outlined that CCCL has already begun rolling out corrective actions to resolve the current shortfall, with gradual improvements projected over the next three weeks. To address the immediate gap between available stock and market demand, the manufacturer has committed to ramping up production output immediately. Longer-term, the company is also reviewing systemic changes to boost plant resilience and reduce the risk of repeated supply disruptions that could threaten sector stability down the line.

    Beyond addressing immediate production constraints, talks between the two groups also focused on aligning long-term manufacturing capacity with the sustained high demand Jamaica’s construction sector is currently facing. A key driver of this elevated demand is upcoming large-scale reconstruction work tied to recovery from Hurricane Melissa, a disaster that has already placed unprecedented pressure on local building material supplies.

    IMAJ has pledged to maintain close coordination with CCCL and all relevant industry stakeholders to track progress on the manufacturer’s commitments, noting that consistent, reliable cement access is fundamental to both the construction market’s healthy functioning and Jamaica’s broader national economy.

    The current shortage has already created significant disruptions for businesses across the island, particularly small and medium-sized hardware retailers. Deanall Barnes, executive director of Corporate Area-based Atlantic Hardware and Plumbing, described ongoing tightness in the local market Wednesday, pointing to a mix of interconnected causes that have created the current supply crunch.

    Barnes explained that two major government-led post-hurricane recovery programs—the $10 billion Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative and the Tourism Housing Assistance and Recovery Programme (THARP)—have pushed already high demand past available supply. ROOFS, administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, offers tiered grants to homeowners repairing hurricane-damaged properties based on damage severity, requiring formal damage assessments for eligibility. THARP, funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), provides up to $100,000 in housing repair grants to eligible tourism workers—including hotel employees and contractors—in Trelawny and surrounding areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

    “Both of these programs include allocations for cement and concrete blocks, so demand has spiked sharply especially across western Jamaica over the last three to four months,” Barnes explained. “Now that both initiatives are fully operational, consistent access to adequate cement supplies has become a major challenge, even for our operations.”

    Last week, Lloyd Gillings, a hardware operator based in Albert Town, Trelawny, called the ongoing shortage a full-blown crisis that has severely harmed small business operations. He reported that suppliers are restricting orders to small volumes, and in some cases require customers to purchase additional unrelated products before they can buy cement. The shortage has forced Gillings to travel long distances just to source small quantities of the material, while large corporate construction firms have maintained more consistent access. Supplies are particularly scarce in southern Trelawny, he added, though conditions there are reportedly marginally better than in some parts of neighboring Manchester.

    Alex Chen, who runs the well-known Just In Hardware in Falmouth, Trelawny, also confirmed his business has faced repeated stockouts for the past two consecutive weeks. On Wednesday, *Jamaica Observer Online* obtained a April 21 letter from a major Jamaican construction firm alerting its customers to the chronic cement shortage, which the company blamed on production disruptions at its primary supplier CCCL. The letter noted the disruption has impacted the sector through most of March and April, thanking customers for their patience and promising ongoing updates as conditions change.

    As Jamaica’s dominant domestic cement manufacturer, CCCL has acknowledged the production challenges that triggered the shortage, citing persistent heavy rainfall as a key external factor that disrupted operations. The bad weather created complications with raw material extraction and processing, leading to equipment and workflow disruptions that pulled down temporary production levels.

    In its own Wednesday press release, CCCL confirmed some delays remain due to the combination of unseasonably bad weather and soaring post-reconstruction demand. But the company emphasized that cross-functional dedicated teams have been working around the clock to resolve issues, stabilizing damaged equipment and improving overall operating conditions. Work is ongoing to fully clear all remaining supply constraints, the company added, with new protocols being implemented to strengthen operational processes and boost long-term supply reliability across the island.

  • Flow empowers next generation of female innovators with AI workshop for Girls in ICT Day

    Flow empowers next generation of female innovators with AI workshop for Girls in ICT Day

    KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a deliberate push to narrow the gender gap in technology, local telecom provider Flow and its philanthropic arm, the Flow Foundation, celebrated the annual International Girls in ICT Day with an interactive artificial intelligence workshop designed to build practical skills and self-assurance among young female learners ahead of their entry into the fast-changing digital sector. Spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union, Girls in ICT Day is observed globally every fourth Thursday of April, with a core mission to inspire more young women and girls to pursue academic pathways and professional careers in information and communication technology, a field long marked by gender underrepresentation.

    This year’s Jamaican iteration of the celebration, held at Flow’s Corporate Lounge in Kingston under the focused theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”, drew more than 100 high school students from across the island for a hands-on, forward-looking learning experience that moved far beyond theoretical discussion. Veteran AI transformation strategist and entrepreneur Stacey Hines led the workshop, walking participants through core AI fundamentals and highlighting tangible, real-world use cases for the technology, with a specific focus on relevant applications developed and deployed across the Caribbean region.

    Attendees explored how AI can be leveraged to address many of the most urgent social and economic challenges facing their communities, worked in collaborative teams to draft their own AI-powered solutions to local problems, and even got the chance to design custom animated AI avatars, putting their new skills to immediate use. “High school girls across Jamaica are growing up into a world where AI literacy is no longer a niche skill – it’s a core competency for almost any growing career,” Hines explained during the event. “This session gave them direct access to the tools, the framework, and the supportive community they need to step into that world with confidence. That is what makes this work so critical. It creates room for curiosity, grows digital confidence, and makes clear that girls belong at the center of global innovation, not on the sidelines. Our goal here is not just to teach them what AI is – it’s to show them how it can open doors, strengthen local communities, and create clear pathways to leadership for them.”

    The day’s activities wrapped up with an energetic pitch competition, where participating teams presented their AI-driven concepts to judges, showcasing how their ideas could solve pressing local challenges. Through funding from the Flow Foundation, every member of the first-place team took home a Samsung tablet in recognition of their standout creativity, teamwork, and forward-thinking approach. Teams placing second and third were awarded smartphones paired with multi-month data plans to support their continued tech learning.

    For many of the young attendees, the workshop proved to be both a revelation and a source of empowerment. Kaylee Braimbridge, an 11th-grade student at Vauxhall High School, shared that the event “made AI feel less intimidating and showed me that I can actually use it to solve problems in my community and even build something of my own one day.”

    Maya Walrond, Senior Director for Digital Transformation at Flow, emphasized that the workshop is just one part of the company’s long-term commitment to fostering Jamaica’s digital evolution. “At Flow, we recognize that the future strength of our nation is deeply tied to how well we prepare our young people to thrive in an increasingly digital global economy,” Walrond said. “Initiatives like this are not just about giving girls exposure to new technology – they are about empowerment. We are building meaningful, accessible, and enjoyable opportunities for girls to engage with cutting-edge emerging technologies, build innovation skills, and see themselves as leaders in Jamaica’s ongoing digital transformation journey.”

    Beyond investing in digital infrastructure across the island, Flow is using targeted community initiatives like this AI workshop to invest directly in Jamaica’s next generation of tech leaders. By equipping young women with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to engage with emerging technologies, the company is working to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable digital future for the entire country.

  • CHILD SEX SHOCK

    CHILD SEX SHOCK

    On Wednesday, senior Jamaican law enforcement official Superintendent Keniel Henry delivered alarming testimony that sparked urgent scrutiny of the island nation’s child protection and juvenile justice frameworks during a parliamentary hearing of the Joint Select Committee reviewing the Child Diversion Act.

    Henry, a crime commander for the region designated Area Two who also serves with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Criminal Investigations Branch, revealed two deeply troubling recent cases: one involving sexual activity between an 11-year-old and a 6-year-old, and a second incident between a 9-year-old and a 4-year-old. When interviewed, the older children in both cases attributed their behavior to exposure to adult sexual content and activity in their surrounding environments, Henry said.

    These shocking disclosures were not isolated incidents, the superintendent emphasized. Instead, they form part of a growing, worrying pattern of harmful sexual behavior among children below Jamaica’s age of criminal responsibility — a group that cannot face criminal charges under current law, but urgently needs structured, targeted intervention to address their psychosocial needs and prevent future harm. Henry called on lawmakers to create new legal provisions that would place these children in specialized support programs, filling a critical gap that currently leaves officials with few actionable options to intervene.

    The revelations stunned committee members, who immediately launched a heated debate over root causes, institutional responsibility, and needed reforms. Committee chair Delroy Chuck argued that parental accountability must be central to any solution, suggesting that formal parental orders should be imposed on caregivers who fail to monitor and guide young children, questioning how children as young as four or six could develop such harmful behavior without adult neglect.

    But Henry pushed back for a more holistic, systemic approach, noting that while parental failure contributes to some cases, harmful exposure can also stem from school environments and broader community influences that extend beyond parental control. Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon reaffirmed her position that all such harmful behavior is learned, tracing its origin back to home environments regardless of where the incident itself occurs. “A child does not wake up and learn this behaviour on their own. They learned it somewhere,” she stated.

    The debate expanded to cover the complex dynamics of consensual sexual activity between close-in-age minors, all under 18 years old. Superintendent Kerry-Ann Bailey, head of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, outlined how these cases typically come to light: most often, female minors are reported to authorities by parents or guardians, either after school officials flag an incident, a pregnancy is discovered, parents find explicit correspondence, or a sexually transmitted infection is diagnosed. Contrary to common assumptions, Bailey noted, female minors are not always passive victims — in some consensual cases, girls are actually the ones who initiate the encounter.

    Under current law, even in fully consensual close-in-age cases, one minor is often formally labeled as an offender and referred to diversion programs, a framework that critics say fails to address the underlying welfare needs of all children involved. Member of Parliament Isat Buchanan called for new legislation centered on welfare-focused intervention rather than criminalization, paired with strengthened measures to enforce parental accountability, arguing these cases are clear symptoms of deeper systemic failures and widespread child neglect.

    Originally crafted to divert young offenders away from the harshness of the formal criminal justice system, the existing Child Diversion Act was shown during Wednesday’s hearing to have major gaps when it comes to children who cannot legally be charged with a crime. In response, Dr. Morris Dixon confirmed that amendments to the broader Child Care and Protection Act are already being drafted to create a more appropriate legal framework for these cases, since most do not involve criminal offenses but rather urgent needs for care, protection, and intervention for children exposed to harmful influences in communities and homes. She added that the joint select committee will clarify which reforms fall under the Child Diversion Act versus the Child Care and Protection Act to advance targeted, effective changes.

  • Prominent society leaders seeking to uplift men through When Lions Roar conference

    Prominent society leaders seeking to uplift men through When Lions Roar conference

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica-based media firm Emerge Multimedia Limited is launching a groundbreaking, holistic men’s empowerment gathering, the When Lions Roar Men’s Conference, set to kick off on April 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at The Summit, located in the heart of New Kingston. The event is designed to bring together skilled men from across all professional sectors to create a supportive space dedicated to renewal and collective uplift for attendees.

    The conference agenda covers a wide range of critical topics that many men rarely get to explore in safe, community-focused settings: mental wellness, intentional leadership, personal self-mastery, spiritual identity, intimate relationships, family dynamics, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial growth. The overarching mission of the gathering is to rebuild a cultural framework where men feel empowered to show up as reliable, productive contributors to their communities and families.

    Travis Muschett, founder of the conference and chief executive officer of Emerge Multimedia Limited, shared that the idea for When Lions Roar grew out of a deeply personal moment of struggle. Just weeks before announcing the event, Muschett found himself in a period of low emotional and mental state, which led him to a stark observation: there is a critical lack of dedicated, judgment-free spaces for men to process challenges, recharge, and reconnect with their purpose.

    “After that realization, I made the decision to build the space I wished I had,” Muschett explained. “This is a place where men can be rejuvenated, rediscover their core purpose, and reclaim that sense of drive that makes them feel alive. When men truly understand who they are meant to be, and step into the roles of priests, prophets, providers, and protectors they were created to fill, they don’t just change the lives around them — they transform entire nations.”

    When Lions Roar will feature 13 accomplished speakers and panelists drawn from diverse backgrounds: Fortune 500-aligned corporate leaders, long-time fathers, successful small business owners, licensed mental health counselors, devoted husbands, community mentors, and respected faith leaders. Attendees can expect a full day of thoughtful discussion, peer-to-peer networking, and growth across every area of life. Confirmed featured speakers include Lloyd Richardson, Wealth Advisor and National Commercial Bank Branch Manager; Ambassador Jamar Wright of Mindfood International Limited; award-winning gospel recording artist Johnmark Wiggan; licensed counselor and social worker David Taylor; and veteran gospel leader Dr Rondell Positive. Muschett will serve as the conference’s lead facilitator for the day.

    While this will be the inaugural staging of the event, Muschett noted that his long-term vision extends far beyond a one-day gathering. He hopes to grow When Lions Roar into a sustained movement that reminds every man of his inherent value, importance, and necessity in his family and community. “I want every person who walks through the door to leave with a clearer understanding of who God created them to be, and the unique role they are meant to fill in the world,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you are a husband, father, student, or just starting out on your journey: this space is for you. Invest in your growth, and keep moving forward.”

    Additional guest contributors and worshippers joining the event include Jovane Blagrove, Love 101 FM radio broadcaster Jucal Dyer, Pastor Michael Taylor, Dexter Johnson Jnr, Aston Desgouttes, Pastor Kavan Allen, Anthony Welsh, Bishop Phillip Johnson, Pastor Sean Williams, and Pastor Tevaun Brown. For men interested in securing a spot at the inaugural conference, tickets can be purchased online at spurropen.com/lionsroarja or by calling 876-810-2451.

  • Penn Relays high school girls’ 4x400m final promises fireworks

    Penn Relays high school girls’ 4x400m final promises fireworks

    PHILADELPHIA – As the 130th annual Penn Relays Carnival enters its final stretch at the historic Franklin Field, the stage is set for a potentially legendary finish to day two’s competition: the High School Girls’ 4x400m Championships of Americas final, which has already turned heads thanks to an unprecedented performance by Jamaican programs in Thursday’s preliminary rounds. In an outcome that has shocked track and field observers, three separate Jamaican squads all clocked times under the 3-minute 40-second barrier during qualifying — a mark that few elite high school relay teams ever hit, let alone multiple squads from a single country in the same competition. Leading the pack is Hydel High School, the pre-meet favorite chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Penn Relays title in the event. Hydel’s team posted a blistering qualifying time of 3:39.55, edging out fellow Jamaican powerhouse Edwin Allen High by just one hundredth of a second. Edwin Allen clocked 3:39.56, while third-ranked Jamaican entry Holmwood Technical rounded out the sub-3:40 trio with a time of 3:39.82. The dominant showing by Jamaican programs puts the top United States contender, Bullis School from Potomac, Maryland, in an underdog position heading into Friday’s final. Bullis posted the fourth-fastest qualifying time overall at 3:40.24, just narrowly missing the sub-3:40 mark that three Jamaican teams easily cleared. Joining Bullis and the four Jamaican squads (Alphansus Davis High also advanced with a 3:44.81 clocking) in the final are Bishop McNamara, another Maryland-based program, which ran 3:43.33 to qualify. The remaining eight spots in the 12-team final went to Immaculate Conception (3:47.08), St Elizabeth Technical (3:47.44), Sydney Pagon STEM Academy (3:47.92), William Knibb Memorial (3:48.77), Manchester High (3:51.63), Alpha Academy (3:54.72) and Port Antonio High (3:59.83). Track analysts note that the preliminary performance cements Jamaica’s reputation as a global powerhouse for youth sprinting, and Friday’s final is already being billed as one of the most competitive high school sprint relay events in the 130-year history of the Penn Relays, one of the oldest and most prestigious track and field meets in the United States.

  • ‘Loss of fear for God’

    ‘Loss of fear for God’

    On a Wednesday early afternoon in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica, a routine fasting and prayer gathering at the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God was shattered by the crack of gunfire. Worshippers in the middle of singing hymns froze mid-praise, unable to comprehend that violence had penetrated the walls of their sacred sanctuary.

    The victim was Cora Thompson, a well-loved member of the church congregation who was shot five times while she sat selling religious books just meters from the church entrance. Several worshippers inside the building told church leaders they heard every bullet strike. In the aftermath of the attack, even after police completed their on-scene investigations and removed crime scene tape, Thompson’s blood remained visible on the outdoor walkway outside the church, a stark reminder of the violence that upended this tight-knit community.

    Bishop Ruel Robinson, the church’s senior pastor, shared that the entire congregation is reeling from the trauma of the attack. “I know everybody is traumatised, having heard the explosions and then later to find out that one of their very own got killed,” Robinson said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. The church has moved quickly to organize grief counselling for all members, alongside targeted support for Thompson’s family as they navigate their loss. “We will have to pray for each other. This is not a personal thing, it is a collective experience as a church so we plan to provide grief counselling to the church members, and keep on praying and supporting the victim’s family,” he explained.

    Robinson remembered Thompson as a vibrant, kind-hearted woman who was a cornerstone of the church community. “Sister Thompson, the victim, she was a quality lady, somebody that is high-spirited and cooperative, supportive. She gets along well with almost everybody,” he said. He also spoke out sharply against the attack, condemning the brazen disregard for the sanctity of the church that the shooting represents. “It is obviously a loss of fear for God. It shows a spirit of disregard for God and the sanctuary,” he said.

    According to eyewitness accounts, the gunman – a single male attacker – fled the scene on foot, moving from Water Lane toward nearby Dome Street. Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, parish police chief, told reporters that law enforcement is fully committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice. “We are very hurt and upset about it and we will not spare any efforts to find who the killers are,” Samuels said. As of Thursday, investigations into the killing remain active, with police yet to announce any arrests or confirm a motive for the attack.

  • ‘Memories’ set for Labour Day weekend

    ‘Memories’ set for Labour Day weekend

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Labour Day weekend approaches, fans of retro music across the island are getting ready for a one-of-a-kind throwback celebration: the oldies-themed party officially named Memories. Now entering its second year, the nostalgic gathering will take place at the iconic Reggae Jamaica Village on Church Road, located in Bog Walk, St Catherine — a longstanding hub that serves as the home of Reggae Fusion.

    In a recent interview, event promoter Collisha Frame shared the creative vision behind the event’s lineup, explaining that every performer was carefully selected to bring the nostalgic concept to life. The roster includes seasoned selectors DJ Little Richie and DJ Al Pachino, alongside renowned Jamaican recording artiste Admiral Tibet. Frame emphasized that the curation process was tailored specifically to the event’s old-school identity, noting that the three acts are the perfect match to deliver an authentic retro experience.

    What sets Memories apart from other local events, Frame says, is its unique positioning in the region. No other celebration in the area centers retro music in quite the same format, creating an atmosphere and collective energy that is unusually special. Attendees can expect a full lineup of chart-topping hits spanning three iconic decades: the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. To enhance the guest experience, the ticket price includes complimentary finger food for all attendees, letting visitors focus on enjoying the music rather than worrying about refreshments.

    Frame and her organizing team have pulled out all the stops to ensure this year’s event runs smoothly, with preparation already well underway. The team has launched a multi-channel marketing campaign that spans both traditional advertising outlets and social media platforms to reach retro music fans across the country. Tickets are currently available for purchase online via xtickets.com, and Frame says attendees can expect full value for their money, with a chance to step back in time and relive some of their favorite musical moments.

    Beyond the entertainment, Frame is calling on all community members and music fans to turn out for the event, which centers three core values that make it worth supporting. First, the gathering is fundamentally community-oriented, designed to bring local residents together around a shared love of classic music. Second, Frame points out that any celebration rooted in musical history is a treasure worth preserving, offering a welcome break from modern pop’s fast pace. Finally, attending and supporting the event helps contribute to the ongoing development of a welcoming, safe public space dedicated to local entertainment and leisure. For anyone looking to unwind and let loose over the holiday weekend, Frame says Memories is the ideal destination.

  • MIIC takes action to stabilise cement supply and support key economic sectors

    MIIC takes action to stabilise cement supply and support key economic sectors

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Severe recent rainfall has forced operational shutdowns at Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL), the island’s leading domestic cement producer, triggering widespread supply shortages across Jamaica’s construction market. In response, the country’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) has moved rapidly to implement emergency measures designed to close the supply gap and restore market stability.

    In an official statement published Thursday, the ministry confirmed that short-term interim interventions have already been rolled out, even as CCCL prioritizes repairing equipment, addressing operational bottlenecks, and bringing production back to full capacity. Among the emergency steps is the diversion of a cargo vessel originally destined for The Bahamas, which is now scheduled to dock in Jamaica this Saturday, April 25, carrying a load of cement to restock local inventories. A second, larger shipment totaling 28,400 tonnes of cement is also on track to arrive in early May, further bolstering available supply.

    In addition to arranging emergency cargo diversions, the ministry — headed by industry minister Senator Aubyn Hill — has approved a expanded import quota for Buying House Company Limited, a local importer, specifically to address unmet demand in the western region of the country, where shortages have been particularly acute.

    Senator Hill emphasized the critical role of consistent cement supply for Jamaica’s ongoing recovery and economic activity, noting that the construction sector remains a core driver of reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. “Cement is far more than a construction input — it is a foundational building block of our national economic momentum and growth,” Hill explained in the statement. “We moved quickly to mitigate short-term disruptions so that local builders, property developers, and outside investors can continue their projects without uncertainty and keep driving progress.”

    Hill added that the incoming emergency imports will not only stabilize the entire construction sector but also help protect existing jobs that rely on consistent construction activity. The ministry, he confirmed, will maintain close monitoring of the market and continue collaborating with private sector industry partners to ensure efficient market function as CCCL works to resume normal output. CCCL has also reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all remaining production constraints and returning output to projected target levels in the near term.

  • Major Brandish gets personal on Love Again

    Major Brandish gets personal on Love Again

    For over 15 years, Jamaican reggae artist Major Brandish — born Gladstone Brown and raised in east Kingston’s Rockfort neighborhood — has built his career on authenticity, a commitment he brings to his vulnerable and message-driven new single *Love Again*, released last month via ShartyB Records. Drawing from the deep personal pain of a past romantic heartbreak, the singer crafted the track to turn his own struggle into a lesson that resonates with audiences navigating similar experiences.

    In a candid conversation with the *Jamaica Observer*, Brandish explained the core philosophy driving the song: while romantic hurt can leave lasting scars, he argues that allowing that pain to curdle into hate only harms both oneself and the people around one. Growing up in Kingston’s inner city taught him critical lessons in self-discipline, emotional control, and most importantly, how to cultivate self-love in the aftermath of heartbreak. Rather than closing himself off from future connection, Brandish emphasizes that hurt is merely a common life obstacle, not a permanent barrier to opening one’s heart to new love. “Not everyone will have the opportunity to hurt you, some do come to love you and care for you, and you just do the same,” he noted.

    What sets Brandish apart from many of his peers in the entertainment industry, he says, is his willingness to center raw, personal emotion and positive messaging in his work. Many artists shy away from sharing their private struggles with heartbreak, but for Brandish, this openness is not a matter of courage — it is a core part of staying true to himself. “Ninety per cent of them go through it because they are human; they go through heartbreak too, and expressing it is good for the soul, and it frees you up,” he explained. His artistic mission is simple: to preserve the authentic, joyful, reality-centered reggae that rooted his upbringing, with intentional positive messaging that uplifts listeners.

    Looking ahead, one of Brandish’s biggest career highlights is coming this June: he is set to perform at *Legends of the Caribbean – A Tribute to Dennis Emmanuel Brown*, scheduled for June 26 at Ottawa’s Meridian Theatre in Canada. A lifelong fan of the late “Crown Prince of Reggae” Dennis Brown, Brandish called the opportunity to honor the icon a profound honor. Brown, who was named Bob Marley’s favorite singer, has been a household name for Brandish since early childhood, remembered for his enduring focus on love and celebration of Jamaican culture. When asked about his favorite Dennis Brown track, the singer says he cannot pick just one — he has too many beloved songs from the legendary artist that shaped his own musical journey.