A 19-year-old British teenager, Marcus Fakana, who was recently pardoned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader after serving a prison sentence for a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, has tragically died in a car accident. The incident occurred in Tottenham, north London, early Friday morning, following a police pursuit. Fakana was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash. According to Sky News, the driver, Marwaan Mohamed Huseen, has been charged with multiple offenses, including causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and failing to stop. Fakana had been serving a one-year sentence in the UAE, where the age of consent is 18, but was released after six months following a pardon from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He had returned to his home in Tottenham shortly after his release. The police reported that the vehicle involved in the crash was initially pursued but lost sight of before the collision occurred. Fakana sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
标签： Jamaica
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Indecent Proposal handles serious business… with laughs
Patrick Brown’s latest theatrical production, ‘Indecent Proposal,’ is currently captivating audiences at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. While the play is laced with moments of humor, it delves deeply into the trials faced by single mothers, offering a poignant exploration of their struggles. Sharee Elise, a seasoned actress in Brown’s productions, takes on the role of Sarah, a waitress and mother of two children, who is desperately seeking stability in her life. Her character’s journey is further complicated by the arrival of Lenny, portrayed by Glen Campbell, a suitor who promises her a better life but soon discovers that his honorable intentions are met with unforeseen challenges. For Elise, embodying Sarah has been an enlightening experience. ‘Sarah has given me a unique perspective on the challenges that women in certain situations face,’ she shared with the Jamaica Observer. ‘As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Sarah’s experiences have shown me how a lack of resources can lead to difficult choices that might otherwise be deemed unacceptable. This role has helped me understand the complexities of decision-making in the face of limited options.’ The cast is rounded out by Courtney Wilson, another regular in Brown’s plays, who plays Rex, Sarah’s ex and one of her delinquent babyfathers. ‘Indecent Proposal’ also highlights the breakdown of the nuclear family in Jamaica, once a cornerstone of the country’s society. ‘Too many households have been left on the backs of women who have to play the role of mother and father,’ Elise remarked. ‘In light of that, something must give, and unfortunately what ‘gives’ is a firm foundation for kids to thrive and grow into well-rounded individuals. Instead, a lot of them become victims of the circumstances of their surroundings.’ Elise, who hails from Falmouth, Trelawny, honed her craft as a member of the Ashe performing arts ensemble for 16 years before transitioning into acting. She has appeared in several of Brown’s plays, including ‘Windscream Posse,’ ‘Right Girl, Wrong Address,’ ‘Matey Chronicles,’ and ‘Duppy Whisperer.’ ‘Indecent Proposal’ premiered in July and is set to conclude its run on October 20.
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UN appoints new resident coordinator in Haiti
UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — In a significant move to bolster its efforts in Haiti, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Nicole Flora Boni Kouassi of Côte d’Ivoire as the new Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and Resident Coordinator in Haiti. Additionally, she will assume the role of Humanitarian Coordinator. Boni Kouassi steps into the position previously held by Ingeborg Ulrika Ulfsdotter Richardson of Sweden, whom Guterres commended for her unwavering dedication and service to the UN. With over 22 years of experience within the UN system, Boni Kouassi brings a wealth of expertise in development, peace and security, and humanitarian efforts. Since 2022, she has served as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Niger. Her prior roles include UNDP Resident Representative in Burundi from 2019 to 2022 and interim Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in 2021. Boni Kouassi has also held leadership positions in Djibouti and Niger, as well as serving as a Senior UN Coherence Specialist in New York. Academically, she holds a Doctorate in Medicine from the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire and a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Maryland. Fluent in English, French, and her native Baule, Boni Kouassi is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of her new role in Haiti.
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Hellshire fatal crash victims identified
A tragic early morning accident in Hellshire, Portmore, St Catherine, has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left several others injured, including a 12-year-old child. The incident occurred around 3:00 am on Saturday when a Honda Shuttle, driven by Jevaughn Martin, collided with a BMW on the main road. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, and the impact caused the BMW to crash into a utility pole. The occupants of both cars were rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital, where Martin, a 33-year-old taxi driver from Portmore, and Ryan Tulloch, a 17-year-old resident of Tawes Meadows in Spanish Town, succumbed to their injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which has left the community in mourning.
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DiCelebrityy gets major boost with Kai Cenat’s endorsement of ‘Hydraulics’
Dancehall artist DiCelebrityy is riding a wave of success following a significant boost to his career, thanks to a shout-out during Kai Cenat’s ‘Mafiathon 3’ live stream. The shout-out, orchestrated by social media personality Mama Cenat, has catapulted DiCelebrityy’s single ‘Hydraulics’ into the spotlight, resulting in a surge of online searches, Spotify and Apple Music streams, and YouTube engagement. DiCelebrityy expressed his gratitude, stating, ‘I just want to say thank you to Mama Cenat and Kai Cenat for the shout-out because it gave my career and my song a major boost.’ Kai Cenat, the world’s most-subscribed Twitch streamer with 19 million followers, hosted the event, which attracted approximately one million viewers. The exposure has introduced DiCelebrityy to a broader audience, with his song now featured on global Spotify playlists and gaining traction on YouTube, where it has amassed over 57,000 views. DiCelebrityy, born Adrian Anthony Campbell in St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, aspires to be a global ambassador for Jamaican culture, drawing inspiration from legends like Bob Marley. His recent tracks, including ‘Full Charge,’ ‘White Liver,’ and ‘New Landlord,’ have made waves at events like Reggae Sumfest. Over the past year, DiCelebrityy has collaborated with prominent artists such as Skillibeng, Spice, and Teejay, further solidifying his position in the dancehall scene. He credits Twitch as a powerful platform for music discovery, noting that the live stream helped 500,000 people discover his music. With his career on an upward trajectory, DiCelebrityy is poised to make a lasting impact on the global music stage.
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Arsenal go top of Premier League as Liverpool lose again
In a thrilling Premier League showdown, Chelsea’s rising star Estevao secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, handing the Reds their third consecutive defeat. The win not only ended Chelsea’s three-game winless streak but also allowed Arsenal to claim the top spot in the league after their 2-0 triumph over West Ham. Liverpool, who started the season with seven straight wins, now face a challenging period as they trail Arsenal by one point. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo opened the scoring with a stunning strike, but Cody Gakpo equalized for Liverpool. However, Estevao’s late winner in stoppage time sealed the deal, sparking jubilant celebrations from manager Enzo Maresca, who was later sent off for his exuberance. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s victory came at a cost as captain Martin Odegaard suffered another injury setback. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the heroes for the Gunners, ensuring their title ambitions remain alive. In other matches, Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-0 win over Sunderland, while Tottenham ended Leeds’ year-long unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory.
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WATCH: Mayor Wilson commits to addressing issues affecting Port Maria
In a proactive move to address pressing urban issues, Mayor Fitzroy Wilson of St Mary, Jamaica, spearheaded a comprehensive walk-through of Port Maria on Thursday. Accompanied by a multidisciplinary team of local agencies, the initiative aimed to evaluate and resolve critical concerns such as traffic congestion, illegal vending, and public health hazards. The delegation included representatives from NEPM Waste Management Limited, the police force, the Health Department, the fire department, the Municipal Corporation, and the tax office. Mayor Wilson emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘We are assessing the town’s needs and addressing complaints about congestion, illegal vending, business trade licenses, and health-related issues.’ Among the key topics discussed was the subpar condition of the transportation centre’s sanitary facilities. The mayor assured residents that refurbishment plans are underway, with upgrades expected within a month. Additionally, the team examined the town’s drainage system and pedestrian infrastructure. While recent sidewalk improvements have been made, the mayor acknowledged the need for further enhancements to ensure safety and accessibility. A local bus operator highlighted the challenges of loading passengers due to non-compliant practices, urging stricter enforcement. In response, Superintendent Anthony Wallace of the St Mary Police Division pledged increased monitoring and enforcement efforts, including the appointment of a new sub-officer and additional personnel to ensure compliance and improve public order.
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Earthquake rattles three Caribbean islands
A moderate earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck the Caribbean region on Friday, causing tremors across several cities. The seismic event, which occurred at 10:59 am local time, was recorded at a depth of 142 kilometers, according to the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in St. Augustine, Trinidad. The quake was felt in multiple locations, including 33 kilometers northeast of Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 67 kilometers south-southwest of Castries in St. Lucia, and 128 kilometers south of Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique. Despite the widespread tremors, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The SRC continues to monitor the situation, urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.
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Tropical wave could develop into tropical depression late next week — NHC
A tropical wave is anticipated to emerge off the coast of Africa this Friday, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). The meteorological system is projected to interact with another atmospheric disturbance over the eastern tropical Atlantic, subsequently progressing westward. Environmental conditions are expected to favor the gradual development of this system over the coming days. By the end of next week, there is a possibility that the wave could evolve into a tropical depression, potentially forming near or east of the Lesser Antilles. The NHC continues to monitor the situation closely, urging residents in the region to stay informed about potential weather developments.
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Hope burns bright at Manchester High as hunt for Jayden continues
The search for 12-year-old Jayden Smith, a student at Manchester High School, has entered its sixth day, with over 100 classmates, teachers, and administrators joining law enforcement in a concerted effort to locate the missing boy. The search focused on the Wesley Road area following reported sightings of Jayden on Wednesday. Despite the use of a drone and hours of meticulous searching, the operation concluded without success. Karcia Beezer, a sixth-form student, expressed her sorrow and determination, emphasizing Jayden’s importance to the school community and his potential for excellence. She urged Jayden to return, assuring him of safety and support. On Wednesday evening, police responded to reports of a child matching Jayden’s description evading passers-by. An eyewitness recounted seeing the boy flee when approached. Manchester High School Principal Jasford Gabriel highlighted the school’s collective effort, with 102 students and 15 staff members participating in the search. He expressed optimism based on recent sightings, indicating that Jayden is alive and the search is nearing a breakthrough. The school community held a prayer meeting, reflecting their shared concern and hope for Jayden’s safe return. The search continues, with the community and authorities determined to bring Jayden home.