Author: Steve Brown

CARICOM member states’ flags June 30, 2024 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on Sunday postponed their annual summit, which was due to begin this week in Grenada, to a “date to be determined” as several Caribbean nations prepare for the passage of extremely dangerous Hurricane Beryl. Grenada was scheduled to host the summit from July 3rd to 5th, but the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) has been reliably informed that following consultations with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and the CARICOM Secretariat, “it has been agreed that the meeting in Grenada later this week will be postponed to…

KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) leader Mark Golding has announced he is renouncing his British citizenship. This follows a lengthy debate over whether anyone seeking to become Jamaican prime minister should have dual citizenship. Golding made the announcement at a PNP meeting on Sunday and later shared it on social media. “As I have promised, I will now take the time to listen to internal and external views before making an informed decision regarding British citizenship,” Golding captioned the video announcing her intentions. He said that while he was not legally barred from holding British citizenship, he did…

England forward No. 9 Harry Kane and England midfielder No. 10 Jude Bellingham celebrate after Kane scored his team’s second goal during the round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at UEFA Euro 2024 at the Arena auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 30, 2024. (Photo: AFP) GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AFP) — England avoided an ignoble last-16 exit at Euro 2024 thanks to Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick and Harry Kane’s extra-time goal to secure a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday. England were expected to be favourites to win major tournament glory for the first time in 58 years, but…

Hammer throwers Daniel Cope (left) and Erica Belbit June 30, 2024 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Daniel Cope and Erica Belbit won the men’s and women’s hammer throw respectively at the JAAA National Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday morning. This is the second title for both, with Cope winning his first in 2022 and Belbit winning his first in 2021. Cope, who has a season best of 63.42 meters and a personal best of 64.86 meters for Clemson, recorded a personal best of 59.78 meters on Sunday to take the win. He cleared 59.00m twice and looked to have cleared…

June 30, 2024 KINGSTON, Jamaica — Human rights groups are urging the Jamaican government to adopt a similar approach to neighboring Antigua and Barbuda when it comes to transferring mentally unstable prisoners to specialized facilities. According to Stand Up For Jamaica (SUFJ) and Jamaica Federation for Justice (JFJ), prisons are often used to house the mentally ill who require specialized care. Rights groups point to a promising pilot project at the Portland Rehabilitation Administration Center and say such programs, which combine treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of the mentally ill into society where feasible, are a better option than incarceration. The…

Jamaica Statistical Institute (STATIN) logo June 30, 2024 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican economy grew by 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) has revealed. STATIN said in a news release on Friday that the growth was driven by a 1.3 percent increase in the services industry and a 1.9 percent increase in the goods-producing industry. The institute said the growth in goods-producing industries was mainly driven by increased production in agriculture, forestry and fishing (7.4 percent) and mining and quarrying (18.7 percent). Declines were…

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Only 10 per cent of people with disabilities (PWDs) in Jamaica are gainfully employed, according to Opposition spokesperson for gender, disability and inclusion Denise Daly. According to estimates released by Daly, this means that of Jamaica’s 450,000 disabled people, only 45,000 have jobs. During her recent remarks during the 2024/25 sectoral debate in the House of Representatives, she highlighted the challenges facing the disability community and she would like to see more done to enable this group of Jamaicans to lead meaningful lives. “I was disheartened to learn that there was an increasing marginalization of people with…

Mango season is here, and if you’ve got some left over from your tree and are wondering what to do with them (other than throw them away), fear not, Observer Online has put together a list of ways to use your mangoes. 1. Mango juice Mangoes are great not only to eat, but also to make juice. Simply mix some ripe mango chunks with water and lime juice and you’re done! Add a pinch of ginger for extra flavour. You can then strain it to get a smoother texture if you like. Mango juice is a refreshing drink perfect for…

Ansell Collins June 30, 2024 Reggae master Ansel Collins wins four Grammy awards in August After receiving his first Grammy in nearly four decades, reggae legend Ansel Collins is looking forward to receiving four more Grammys this year, including one for his work on Sly & Robbie’s 1999 album Friends. This January, the legendary keyboardist finally received a Grammy Award, nearly 40 years after his incredible contribution to Jimmy Cliff’s Cliff Hanger, one of the reggae genre’s greatest masterpieces, won him the second Reggae Grammy in 1986. Collins, famously known as one of…

Heimir Hallgrimsson, head coach of the national senior men’s football team (Photo: AFP) Relations between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson have deteriorated beyond repair, with the two sides said to be unhappy with each other and heading towards an early split. Hallgrimsson, who led his native Iceland to its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 2018, has been approached by the Jamaica Football Federation in 2022 with the goal of helping Jamaica qualify for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But despite a fairly respectable…