Jamaica Observer

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British comedian Russell Brand was on Thursday found guilty by a London jury of one rape and three sexual assaults, involving a total of four women. Brand, who closed his eyes but showed no emotion as the jury delivered the verdicts, was cleared of two rapes and one count of attempted indecent assault. Judge Joel Bennathan warned the 51-year-old actor turned conservative, religious online guru that he faced a "significant custodial term". Brand's wife Laura watc

The Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF), a non-profit organisation that empowers women and girls of Jamaican descent in Florida and Jamaica through networking, mentorship, personal development, and community service, was the beneficiary of proceeds from the inaugural Bridgerton Soiree, which was held in Florida. The second staging, scheduled for December 12 at the Miramar City Hall Plaza in Miramar, will continue the organisers’ mantra of supporting charitable initiatives and efforts. According t

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica, formerly Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica, will reopen in Runaway Bay on December 1 following a comprehensive renovation carried out over approximately one year, the hotel chain announced in a press release Thursday. The reopening brings 647 rooms back into operation and approximately 1,000 jobs on Jamaica’s north coast ahead of the winter tourism season, the release stated. According to Bahia Principe, as part of the Explore sub-brand, the renovated property is de

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Approximately 200 girls from Montego Bay and surrounding communities in St James are set to benefit from a menstrual health and wellness initiative on Saturday, November 7. The event, dubbed “The Wellness Cycle”, will be hosted by Dear Ambitious Girl and the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights, in partnership with lead sponsors WalkGoodLA and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square. According to a release on Thursday, th

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A construction worker has been charged with multiple drug related offences following an intelligence-led police operation that resulted in the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately $51.7 million at his residence in University Crescent, Papine, St Andrew, on Monday, November 2. Fifty-year-old Adrian Beckford, otherwise called “Paul”, has been charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking steps preparatory to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocai

ST ANN, Jamaica — Police have identified a St Ann man who was stabbed to death after he reportedly attacked his brother with a machete in Frank Hall, Cascade near Cave Valley Wednesday afternoon. Police named him as Glaston Hughes, 55, a resident of Frankhall district. READ: Man stabbed to death, brother hospitalised in St Ann dispute A police report said about 4:00 pm on Wednesday a machete-wielding Hughes went to his brother’s home and forcefully entered the dwelling. Police said Hughes cho

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Dawes has raised concerns about the effectiveness of increased public health spending in Jamaica, citing findings from a World Bank review on maternal and neonatal mortality and other challenges facing the healthcare system. In a release issued by the People’s National Party (PNP) on Thursday, Dawes questioned whether the significant increase in the country’s health budget over the past decade has translated into improved

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Guardian General Insurance Jamaica (GGIJ) affirmed its commitment to advancing breast cancer awareness and early detection with a $200,000 donation to the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The contribution will support the subsidisation of mammograms, helping to reduce financial barriers to this potentially life-saving screening service and improve access for women across Jamaica. The donation formed part of GGIJ's Pink Day observ

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Senior Manager of Technical Services at the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC), Fritz Sawyers has been selected to act as managing director of the entity. This was revealed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan. “The Board of Directors of the National Road Operating & Constructing Company Limited has approved Fritz Sawyers, senior manager – techni

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A witness purporting to be a crime scene reconstruction expert, who has been contracted by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) since 2010, has admitted during the murder trial of six policemen in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston that he has no certification in the science of reconstructing crime scenes. The six cops on trial are Sergeant Simroy Mott and Corporal Donovan Fullerton, along with constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Orandy Rose, and Ric

LISBON, Portugal (AFP) — Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday he was retiring from international football at the age of 41. Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to play a world record 234 times for his country, scoring 146 goals. But the forward's powers have been waning in recent years and he fell out with national coach Jorge Jesus last month after refusing to play him in a Nations League match. Ronaldo immediately left the team camp and was

KINGSTON, Jamaica — PROVEN Properties has appointed Adam Hill as its new chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2026. According to a release on Thursday, Hill, who previously served as the company’s chief development officer, brings more than a decade of experience in architecture, project management, construction and development management. He will lead the company’s residential and commercial portfolio, working with consultants, contractors, investors and regulators to deliver project

WHAT should be a place for elected representatives to challenge one another through debate has been interrupted, on several occasions over the past year, by protests, walkouts and heated exchanges, with Tuesday’s confrontation over the Cuba censure motion being the latest flashpoint. However, Leader of Government Business Floyd Green and Leader of Opposition Business Phillip Paulwell have expressed contrasting views over what is driving the repeated breakdowns in order. In separate interviews

TWO former prominent Members of Parliament (MP) — Maxine Henry-Wilson of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Othneil Lawrence of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) — are appealing to politicians currently serving in the nation’s Parliament to “lower the temperature”, and bring civility back to the legislature. The two have called for a reset in the Parliament, while highlighting the approaches taken by former prime ministers PJ Patterson and Bruce Golding who were able to maintain order during so

For Shauna Chin, becoming Jamaica’s honorary consul to Los Angeles was never a far-fetched ambition. It was a matter of time. In March 2008 the actress sat down with Headline Entertainment’s Jerome Hamilton to discuss the future of her career. During that conversation, she voiced an aspiration she had previously shared only with her family — becoming a diplomat. Nearly two decades later, that long-held vision has become reality, placing Chin in a position to represent Jamaica and its nationals

AS the Government tightens its belt and orders a review of public spending, it has created a new Ministry of Mining and Geology. But Minister Floyd Green insists taxpayers will hardly feel the cost, arguing that the ministry is being built largely from resources and positions that were already in place. Green, who also has responsibility for agriculture and fisheries, said the new ministry would not require the Government to recruit additional staff, establish new agencies or provide separate o

FORMER West Indies and Jamaica bowlers Daren Powell and Nehemiah Perry say Cricket West Indies (CWI) must reach a suitable agreement with Trinidadian batter Nicholas Pooran should he decide to return to international cricket. Pooran has seemingly softened his stance to play for the West Indies again after his decision to retire last year at age 29. The power-hitting left-hander, who made over 160 appearances for the Windies between 2016 and 2024, didn’t give reasons when he announced his decis

Foodies, take note. Koi Sushi has arrived at the Super Valu Towne Centre on 144 Constant Spring Road. Marrying traditional Japanese finesse with bold Jamaican flair, the new outpost promises maximum flavour in every bite. Koi Sushi Super Valu Towne Centre 144 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston 8, St Andrew (Photo: Karl Mclarty) Eager for our own Japanese fix, Thursday Food visited the stylish new spot last week Thursday. The offerings cater to every palate, bridging raw indulgence — consider Sashi

THE Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) is confident it can reduce breaches of its eligibility rules through education and improvements to its monitoring systems. ISSA President Keith Wellington says the association is strengthening its registration system after moving away from an external contractor, while placing greater emphasis on schools to properly verify the eligibility of their students. Wellington told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday that although three cases of alleg

JAMAICA’S five-man team will be aiming for another strong showing at the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) Amateur Members Association (AMA) World Championships, which begin in Madrid, Spain, today and run until Sunday. Leading the team are Akino Lindsay and Richard Stone, two of Jamaica’s most decorated fighters, whose rivalry for gold medals has added another dimension to the competition. Stone, who competes in the -85kg category and has nine ISKA AMA gold medals, is still chasin