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  • Sergeant Georgia Chambers-Dawson laid to rest

    Sergeant Georgia Chambers-Dawson laid to rest

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) paid solemn tribute to Sergeant Georgia Chambers-Dawson, a distinguished officer whose life was commemorated during a heartfelt thanksgiving service at Rudgemount United Church in Mandeville on Saturday, January 10.

    Sergeant Chambers-Dawson, who passed away in November 2025, dedicated a quarter-century of exemplary service to the JCF, earning widespread respect for her unwavering professionalism and profound commitment to duty.

    The memorial ceremony featured poignant tributes from various dignitaries and colleagues. Senior Superintendent of Police Michael Morris delivered a moving eulogy on behalf of the Governor General, emphasizing Sergeant Chambers-Dawson’s significant contributions to the force and her enduring legacy of integrity and service.

    Personal reflections were shared by her batchmates, illustrating the deep bonds forged through years of shared service. Family friend Shavena Curtis offered a touching remembrance, capturing the sergeant’s personal qualities and the void left by her passing.

    The service concluded with her interment at Melrose Cemetery, attended by family members, colleagues, and loved ones who gathered to honor her memory and celebrate her life both as a dedicated officer and a cherished individual.

  • Singer Kenneth Roxborough dies at 78

    Singer Kenneth Roxborough dies at 78

    The reggae music community mourns the loss of Kenneth Roxborough, founding member of the influential roots-reggae ensemble Wadada, who passed away in Chicago on January 5th at age 78. His wife of 18 years, Mirta Roxborough, confirmed to the Jamaica Observer that his death resulted from complications related to multiple health conditions.

    Mirta remembered her late husband as the quintessential dedicated musician, emphasizing that ‘He never stopped playing his guitar; he loved music,’ despite facing significant health challenges throughout his later years.

    This passing marks the second devastating blow to the original Wadada lineup within 17 months, following the death of fellow co-founder Franklin Thompson in August 2024 at 72 years of age.

    Roxborough’s musical legacy traces back to 1978 in Kingston’s Trench Town, where he formed Wadada alongside Denzil Williams on lead vocals and Franklin Thompson. The group quickly distinguished themselves with harmonious vocals that drew favorable comparisons to legendary Jamaican groups like The Wailers and The Wailing Souls.

    Their artistic journey included a landmark performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1979 and the recording of their definitive album ‘Take A Stand.’ Wadada also collaborated with iconic producers Bunny Wailer and Freddie McGregor, creating recordings that would become part of reggae’s golden era.

    Born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Roxborough’s career continued evolving after relocating to the United States. His creative output included socially conscious solo works such as ‘Discrimination,’ maintaining his artistic relevance across decades.

    Roxborough’s personal life reflected his international connections—he met Cuban-born Mirta in Miami in 2005 shortly after returning from Ethiopia, where Wadada had participated in the historic Africa Unite concert organized by the Marley family.

    He is survived by his wife Mirta, two sons, seven grandchildren, and multiple siblings. His passing represents the closing of a significant chapter in Jamaican music history, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence contemporary reggae artistry.

  • PNP mourns death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    PNP mourns death of Ambassador Curtis Ward

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s political and diplomatic communities are mourning the passing of Ambassador Curtis Ward, who died Sunday night at his residence in Maryland, United States. The prominent intellectual and diplomat was celebrated for his exceptional contributions to Jamaica’s foreign policy discourse and international engagement.

    The People’s National Party (PNP) issued an official statement expressing profound grief over the loss, characterizing Ward as both a distinguished patriot and an influential voice within Jamaica’s diplomatic circles. Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, led the tributes, emphasizing Ward’s unique ability to contextualize complex global developments within appropriate historical and geopolitical frameworks.

    According to Senator Scott-Mottley, Ambassador Ward possessed remarkable analytical capabilities that made intricate international matters accessible to broader audiences. His expertise proved particularly valuable during periods of heightened global instability and uncertainty, where his insights consistently enriched public debate and informed high-level policymaking processes.

    “He represented a reliable source of thoughtful analysis on virtually any international subject,” Senator Scott-Mottley noted. “One could always reach out to him for clear explanations and profound understanding of global dynamics that strengthened Jamaica’s position in international affairs.”

    The late ambassador was remembered as a committed patriot who dedicated his life to serving Jamaica with exceptional distinction both domestically and internationally. His career exemplified meaningful public service, with his scholarly approach and principled engagement leaving an indelible mark on Jamaica’s diplomatic landscape.

    Senator Scott-Mottley concluded that while Ambassador Ward’s passing creates a significant void within Jamaica’s intellectual and diplomatic community, his legacy of service, scholarship, and principled engagement will continue to guide and inspire future generations. The People’s National Party extended heartfelt condolences to Ambassador Ward’s wife Sonia, along with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those touched by his work and wisdom.

  • Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    A prominent cultural advocate is issuing an urgent appeal for Jamaica to recognize its reggae music pioneers while they can still appreciate the honor. Dr B, founder of the New York-based DARC Foundation and organizer of an annual awards ceremony, emphasizes that too many musical trailblazers have passed without receiving proper recognition from their nation.

    The Kingston-born pan-African activist leads an organization dedicated to honoring black individuals who have made substantial contributions to music, arts, sports, and community development. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Dr B articulated his philosophy with poignant clarity: “We should give these people their flowers, an’ mek dem smell these flowers before they die. Too many of our artistes an’ musicians are honoured in eulogies, an’ dat’s not right.”

    This call for timely recognition addresses longstanding criticism of Jamaica’s national honors system, which has consistently faced accusations of neglecting key figures in Jamaican music history. Numerous artists and producers, including the legendary Dennis Brown and influential producer Duke Reid, received their honors only posthumously.

    The DARC Foundation’s most recent Ethiophile Banquet and RasTafari Meritorious Awards celebrated ten distinguished recipients. The honorees included reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, renowned guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Steel Pulse frontman David Hinds, musical pioneer Ras Michael, and broadcasting veteran Garfield “Chin” Bourne.

    The foundation also recognized international figures such as Thomas Sankara, the assassinated former prime minister of Burkina Faso; Rastafarian elder Daughter Dean; educator Dr Yvette Morgan of the Morgan Heritage family; philanthropist Andre McDonnell; and cannabis advocate President Scherill Murray-Powell.

    Dr B noted the evolution of their recognition criteria: “When we started out we honoured Rastafarians, but over the years we have expanded to include American athletes like John Carlos and Bob Beamon who were revolutionaries in their own right.”

    The foundation’s work began in 1994 when Dr B, originally from Vineyard Town in eastern Kingston, first organized a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, that honored Rastafarian achievements, recognizing figures like Sam Brown of the Rastafarian Movement and reggae legend Burning Spear.

  • NIC to purchase additional generators

    NIC to purchase additional generators

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to fortify agricultural infrastructure, Jamaica’s National Irrigation Commission (NIC) has secured a substantial funding allocation exceeding $107 million. The financial backing, channeled through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, is designated for the acquisition of new backup generators to safeguard the nation’s irrigation networks against power failures.

    This critical investment addresses a persistent vulnerability exposed by extreme weather events, particularly Hurricane Melissa which struck on October 28 of the previous year. While the core irrigation infrastructure demonstrated structural resilience during the hurricane, the subsequent collapse of the national power grid emerged as the primary disruptor to continuous water delivery for farmers.

    Rohan Stewart, Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the NIC, outlined the commission’s proactive strategy. “Our systems have been developed and built with resilience in place. The major water-production facilities were not impacted because of the resilience that we had,” Stewart stated. He confirmed the procurement process is currently underway, emphasizing that post-assessment revealed “the only damage that we suffered from the water production system was the loss of power.”

    The new generators will be deployed to priority systems that serve livestock farmers and shared supply arrangements, ensuring the resumption of service to remaining affected customers. Beyond immediate recovery, this initiative enhances long-term disaster preparedness through improved equipment pre-positioning and refined fuel management protocols ahead of future hurricane seasons.

    The NIC continues its collaborative modernization efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, reinforcing irrigation services that are indispensable for sustaining agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security.

  • MBU and Treasure Beach score wins in second round of JPL

    MBU and Treasure Beach score wins in second round of JPL

    In a dramatic Sunday of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) action, Montego Bay United (MBU) solidified their top position while Treasure Beach fought their way out of the relegation zone. The league leaders secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Dunbeholden FC at Jarrett Park, marking their first home win at the venue this season. The decisive moment came from veteran striker Owayne Gordon, who converted a second-half penalty to break Dunbeholden’s impressive eight-match unbeaten streak and push MBU to 32 points.

    Meanwhile, in a tense battle at the bottom of the table, Treasure Beach ended their four-game losing streak with a crucial 2-1 triumph over Molynes United at Drewsland. Daniel Hardy opened the scoring within six minutes, though Molynes equalized through Tyrique Wilson shortly after. Karim Bryan emerged as the hero, netting the winner during first-half stoppage time to lift Treasure Beach to 15 points and swap positions with Harbour View in the standings.

    The day’s other matches produced tightly contested draws. Second-place Racing United (29 points) maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-1 comeback against Mt Pleasant FA, with Tajay Grant’s 69th-minute equalizer canceling out Jeudy Johnson’s opener. Third-place Portmore United (27 points) played to a goalless draw with Chapelton Maroons, extending their winless streak to five matches after previously winning four consecutive games.

    Defending champions Cavalier SC were held to another 0-0 draw by Waterhouse FC, who demonstrated remarkable resilience despite playing the final 14 minutes with ten men after Shamari Dyer’s red card dismissal.

  • Trump to meet Venezuela opposition leader Machado on Thursday — US official

    Trump to meet Venezuela opposition leader Machado on Thursday — US official

    WASHINGTON — In a notable diplomatic development, President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday. The meeting signals a potential shift in Washington’s approach to Venezuela’s political landscape following the recent removal of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.

    A senior administration official confirmed the upcoming engagement, noting that President Trump has indicated Machado may present him with her prestigious peace award during the visit. This encounter represents a significant elevation in Machado’s diplomatic standing, as she had previously been somewhat marginalized in discussions about Venezuela’s future leadership structure despite her prominent opposition role.

    The White House meeting occurs amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Venezuela’s political situation and establish democratic governance. Machado’s recognition as a Nobel laureate adds considerable weight to her political credibility and international stature, potentially positioning her as a more central figure in future negotiations concerning Venezuela’s political transition.

    This diplomatic gesture underscores the Trump administration’s continued commitment to supporting democratic movements in Venezuela while exploring various pathways for establishing legitimate leadership in the South American nation. The meeting is expected to address both symbolic recognition of democratic efforts and substantive discussions about Venezuela’s political future.

  • Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed

    Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed

    LONDON, United Kingdom — Global financial markets exhibited significant volatility on Monday, with the U.S. dollar weakening and gold soaring to unprecedented heights. This turbulence stems from a developing Justice Department investigation into the Federal Reserve, intensifying concerns about the central bank’s autonomy amidst President Trump’s persistent advocacy for reduced interest rates.

    The situation escalated when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in an unusual Sunday video statement, confirmed the issuance of “unprecedented” subpoenas. Powell characterized this legal action as a component of what he described as Trump’s campaign to pressure the bank into implementing more aggressive rate reductions.

    Market analysts immediately recognized the profound implications. Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell, noted, “This investigation has destabilized market confidence and prompted serious questions regarding the Fed’s future leadership once Powell’s term concludes in May. There is growing apprehension that presidential influence is improperly encroaching on policies designed to be independent.”

    In response, investors rapidly shifted capital toward traditional safe-haven assets. Gold prices approached $4,600 per ounce, while silver neared $85. Concurrently, the U.S. dollar depreciated against other major currencies, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond’s price declined, resulting in a modest yield increase.

    Chairman Powell defended the Fed’s position in his address, stating, “Facing potential criminal charges is a direct result of the Federal Reserve establishing interest rates based on our expert assessment of public benefit, rather than adhering to presidential preferences.” The subpoenas, received Friday, reportedly relate to Powell’s June Senate testimony, which partially addressed a significant renovation project of Federal Reserve facilities.

    This political and legal uncertainty emerges alongside mixed economic signals. A soft U.S. jobs report released Friday indicated only 50,000 new positions in December, although the unemployment rate slightly improved to 4.4%. Despite this, the Fed has signaled it will maintain current interest rates at its upcoming policy meeting.

    Globally, equity markets presented a mixed picture. European stocks showed hesitation after a robust performance in Asian markets, which themselves followed Wall Street’s record closing highs from the previous week. Hong Kong and Shanghai led regional gains, while Tokyo’s market remained closed for a holiday.

    Most major indices, including those in Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Seoul, have experienced a strong commencement to 2026, fueled by tech sector optimism and advances in defense shares.

    Adding another layer of complexity, oil prices declined during volatile trading Monday. This movement was driven by escalating geopolitical risks, including widespread protests in Iran and the recent U.S. seizure of Venezuelan crude supplies. President Trump further heightened tensions by stating he was “looking very seriously” at military options against Iran following reports of hundreds of protester fatalities.

  • Gov’t bullish about prospects for Jamaica in 2026, says Fitz-Henley

    Gov’t bullish about prospects for Jamaica in 2026, says Fitz-Henley

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior government official Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has expressed strong confidence in Jamaica’s economic trajectory for 2026, despite substantial setbacks caused by Hurricane Melissa in late 2025. The catastrophic weather event is estimated to have wiped out approximately 30% of the nation’s GDP, creating significant economic headwinds.

    Fitz-Henley, serving as State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, acknowledged the hurricane’s severe impact while highlighting several positive economic indicators that support the administration’s optimistic outlook. He emphasized Jamaica’s demonstrated economic resilience, noting the Jamaican dollar has maintained remarkable stability over recent years and weeks despite external pressures.

    The country’s National International Reserves remain robust at over US$6 billion, providing a substantial financial buffer. Most notably, the economy demonstrated impressive vigor with 5.1% growth during the July-September quarter, as officially confirmed by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica.

    Recovery operations are proceeding with urgency, particularly in addressing housing crises caused by the Category 5 hurricane. The government has implemented a structured transition from immediate relief efforts to comprehensive residential recovery programs, specifically targeting Jamaicans who suffered roof losses during the storm.

    Fitz-Henley confirmed that recovery operations continued throughout the holiday season, with funds collected through official channels being allocated to assist those with significant property damage. The administration has simultaneously established monitoring systems to ensure financial accountability and maintain the integrity of the reconstruction process.

  • Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban

    Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban

    SYDNEY, Australia — Global technology conglomerate Meta has publicly criticized Australia’s pioneering social media prohibition for users under 16 years old, labeling the policy as counterproductive while revealing it has deactivated over 544,000 accounts in compliance with the controversial legislation.

    Australia implemented the world-first regulatory measure in December 2023, mandating major digital platforms including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to prevent underage users from maintaining accounts. The legislation carries substantial financial penalties of Aus$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million) for companies failing to demonstrate reasonable compliance efforts.

    According to Meta’s transparency report, the company eliminated 331,000 underage accounts from Instagram, 173,000 from Facebook, and 40,000 from Threads during the initial week of enforcement ending December 11. Despite this demonstrated compliance, Meta issued a formal statement urging Australian authorities to reconsider their approach.

    “We advocate for constructive government-industry collaboration to develop superior alternatives,” the statement read. “Rather than implementing blanket prohibitions, we propose incentivizing industry-wide standards that deliver secure, privacy-conscious, and age-appropriate digital experiences.”

    The technology giant reiterated its previous position advocating for mandatory age verification through app stores, requiring parental consent before minors can download applications. Meta warned that without such systemic solutions, platforms would engage in a perpetual “whack-a-mole” scenario as adolescents migrate to alternative applications to circumvent restrictions.

    Australian government officials maintained their firm stance, asserting that social media corporations must be held accountable for the documented harm inflicted upon young citizens. “Platforms like Meta accumulate extensive user data for commercial objectives,” stated a government representative. “They possess both the capability and obligation to utilize this information to enforce Australian regulations and safeguard under-16 users.”

    Meta countered that numerous parents and child development experts have expressed concerns regarding the ban’s potential to isolate youth from digital communities and push them toward less regulated platforms and darker internet spaces. Preliminary evidence suggests the legislation may be failing its primary objective of enhancing young Australians’ safety and well-being.

    Addressing the complex challenge of online age verification, Meta acknowledged compliance would require a “multilayered process” while highlighting the recent establishment of the OpenAge Initiative. This non-profit consortium, co-founded by Meta, has introduced AgeKeys—innovative age-verification tools designed for integration with participating platforms.