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New York mayor orders citywide travel ban ahead of major US storm
NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday ordered the shutdown of the city's entire traffic network for all but emergency travel ahead of a massive snowstorm expected to hit the northeast United States.Tens of millions of Americans from the US capital Washington to the northern state of Maine braced for the storm, with up to two feet (60 centimeters) of snow forecast in some areas.The National Weather Service said blizzard conditions would "quickly materialize" from Maryland up to southeastern New England, making travel "extremely treacherous."Snow could fall at a rate of two to three inches per hour at the peak of the storm, with nearly 54 million people in its path, it said.Power outages are likely due to heavy snow and strong wind gusts, forecasters said.In New York, which has more than eight million people, Mamdani said streets, highways and bridges would be shut down from 9:00 pm Sunday (0200 GMT) until noon Monday."New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade," he said, explaining the state of emergency."We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non-essential travel."The ban will not affect essential workers or New Yorkers needing to travel due to emergencies, according to Mamdani.- 'Worst yet to come' -New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency beginning midday Sunday, freeing up funds and allowing the swift deployment of resources to address the weather crisis.In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu closed all public schools and municipal buildings on Monday."We ask everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to help our public works and public safety efforts," Wu said.The National Weather Service said "moderate to major" coastal flooding affecting waterfront roads and properties was possible from Delaware up to Cape Cod in Massachusetts.The storm comes just weeks after the region recovered from another devastating weather system that was linked to more than 100 deaths."The worst is yet to come," New York Governor Kathy Hochul told a press briefing Sunday."Whatever you need -- any groceries, any medicines you need to be refilled at the pharmacy, any pet food you need to have -- do it right now."Then, she advised, "just settle in.""Watch some more Olympics, read a book, catch up on the news, call your family members, call your moms -- especially your moms."
2026-02-22 19:27:54

Los Angeles sues Roblox over child exploitation claim
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)—Officials in Los Angeles said Thursday they are suing Roblox, alleging the popular online platform exposes children to sexual content, exploitation and online predators.In a lawsuit, Los Angeles County said the company does not carry out adequate moderation and its age-verification systems are not fit for purpose.The suit against Roblox, which contests the claims, is the latest effort to hold an online firm to account for alleged exploitative practices.It comes as a trial unfolds in America's second largest city in which social media giants, including Facebook, are being sued over claims their addictive algorithms target young teenagers."This lawsuit is about protecting children from online predators and inappropriate content," Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis said."Roblox has a responsibility to keep kids safe, but instead it has allowed its platform to become a place where children can be exposed to grooming and exploitation."Roblox says it has around 144 million active users every day around the world, with more than 40 percent of them under 13 years old.- 'Pedophile hellscape' -Users create, share and play various games and other experiences, chatting to each other and using customizable avatars.While it is free to use, players can purchase a virtual currency that allows them to buy specific upgrades.The firm has long faced accusations that it is not doing enough to protect children from violent and sexual content.A 2024 report by Hindenburg Research described it as an "X-rated pedophile hellscape" that exposed children to grooming and pornography.This month Australia's government said it was seeking an urgent meeting with the company about child safety.The lawsuit filed Thursday alleges Roblox has failed to adequately moderate user-generated content, enforce age restrictions or disclose the extent of inappropriate material and risks posed by sexual predators on the platform."This is not about a minor lapse in safety. It is about a company that gives pedophiles powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspecting children," Los Angeles County lawyer Dawyn R. Harrison said."The trauma that results is horrific, from grooming to exploitation to actual assault. This needs to stop."In a statement to AFP, Roblox rejected the allegations in the suit, insisting the platform was built "with safety at its core.""We have advanced safeguards that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, avoiding one of the most prevalent opportunities for misuse seen elsewhere online," a spokesman said.The company said it takes swift action against people found violating its rules and works with law enforcement to hold them accountable."There is no finish line when it comes to protecting kids, and while no system can be perfect, our commitment to safety never ends."
2026-02-19 23:10:37

YowLevite talks working with Vybz Kartel, Spice, Popcaan and Dexta Daps
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall producer and composer YowLevite is one of the gentle giants of dancehall.His humble demeanor camouflages his earth-shattering catalog that includes projects with the likes of Vybz Kartel, Spice, Popcaan, Dexta Daps, Popcaan and countless other local and international artistes. Not many local producers can boast of such an illustrious catalog. However, YowLevite says he is focusing on creating a legacy of greatness."I always wanted to let my work do the talking because I wanted to build a legacy that can last even beyond my years. When people hear the names I have worked with, they are always shocked and then the respect that follows could not be gained from just hype. Right now, I am emerging from the shadows because my body of work is worth talking about. Nuff a who a hype up dem ting nuh deh pon my level musically" Yow Levite stated.Born Keron Young, the University of the West Indies graduate was once a corporate executive, but he could not ignore his passion for music. He made the bold move to give up the comfort and stability of the corporate world to embark on his musical journey and according to YowLevite it has been worth it."Without question. The journey has been challenging but extremely rewarding. Music has allowed me to travel, meet new people, experience different cultures, and grow both personally and professionally. The exposure, relationships, and life experiences I’ve gained make the decision more than worth it," he said.YowLevite outlines how rewarding his musical journey has been both personally and professionally."I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of artistes including Spice, Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Beenie Man, Busta Rhymes, Dexta Daps, Teejay, Chronic Law, Jada Kingdom, Ky-Mani Marley, Pamputtae, Intence, Iwaata, and Lola Brooke, among others," YowLevite stated.
2026-02-19 21:59:44

US forces board ship in Indian Ocean that fled Caribbean blockade — Pentagon
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US forces boarded an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that violated President Donald Trump's blockade of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and fled the region, the Pentagon said Sunday.The Panamanian-flagged Veronica III "tried to defy President Trump's quarantine -- hoping to slip away. We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down," the Pentagon said on X.The post included a video of US forces boarding a helicopter and then boarding the tanker ship.The Pentagon intercepted the Aquila II in similar fashion about a week ago.In December, Trump ordered a "blockade" of sanctioned oil vessels heading to and from Venezuela. At least nine ships have been seized thus far.But those ships seized in recent months make up only a tiny fraction of the total number of sanctioned "shadow fleet" vessels operating worldwide to evade sanctions, which a senior US Coast Guard officer said number up to 800.The Veronica III left Venezuela on January 3 -- the same day that US special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a raid -- carrying around 1.9 million barrels of oil, TankersTrackers.com said.The ship is listed under US sanctions relating to Iran, according to the website of the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control."The Department of War will deny illicit actors and their proxies freedom of movement in the maritime domain," the Pentagon said on X.
2026-02-15 17:31:51

Trump tells Hamas to proceed with ‘Full and Immediate’ disarmament
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Hamas to move forward with disarmament under his plan for postwar Gaza, and said members of his so-called "Board of Peace" had pledged $5 billion to the Palestinian territory's reconstruction."Very importantly, Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarisation," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, ahead of a February 19 meeting of the board in Washington.Disarmament is a key part in the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan sealed in October between Israel and the Palestinian militant group to end the war triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023.The United Nations endorsed the plan in November.The second phase stipulates that Israeli forces gradually withdraw from Gaza and Hamas should disarm, with an international stabilisation force deployed to ensure security.Hamas has repeatedly said that disarmament is a red line, although it has indicated it could consider handing over its weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority.Both sides accuse each other daily of ceasefire violations.Although originally intended to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the charter for the "Board of Peace" does not seem to limit its role to the Palestinian territory."The Board of Peace has unlimited potential," Trump said Sunday in his post.After an initial meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, the board is due to meet Thursday in the US capital.Countries have been asked to pay $1 billion for permanent membership of the board, and the invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country invaded Ukraine in 2022, has drawn criticism.Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts.Trump said the $5 billion in pledges by member states would be formally announced then, and that members also "have committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilization Force and Local Police to maintain Security and Peace for Gazans."Trump has said the organisation will work "in conjunction" with the United Nations."The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History," he said.Under the ceasefire plan, a Palestinian technocratic committee has also been set up with a goal of taking over governance in the battered Gaza Strip.
2026-02-15 16:41:11

Week.day, 450 dedicate track to ladies for Valentines weekend
Popular dancehall producer Week.day has produced a track specially dedicated to the ladies around Valentine’s Day. The track featuring deejay 450 is titled I Love You.“We wanted to give the ladies something new that they could add to their bedroom playlist,” Week.day said.A hitmaker in his own right, the producer is the brain behind other 450 tracks such as Lonely, Demon Gyal, Beast Mode, Levels, Wild N Rich, and Know Weh Yah Do as well as Hands Up by Jquan and Deno Crazy’s EP Winning Season. He has worked with other artistes such as Alkaline, Mavado, Kranium, Jahmiel, Jesse Royal and Julian Marley.He explained that collaborating with 450 – who continues to gain major global recognition — is always seamless.“Working with him is one of the realest artiste/producer chemistry there is right now. Everytime we work on a project, it’s always a hit,” he said.Week.day hopes that I Love You will become a global hit. He shared his favourite elements about it.“I think the chord progression has a very sexy feel to it, and the small guitar phrases here and there to complement that. It’s also a nice dancehall drum pattern to gel everything together," he said.The producer, who hails from Linstead in St Catherine, studied jazz and popular music at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.Growing up with a musician father and as the younger brother of producer Jahvy Ambassador, Week.day was not only inspired to pursue music as a career path, but has discovered unique elements that makes him standout.“I’d say the way how I make my beats; (I’m) always trying to fuse other genres with dancehall to create a fresh vibe. For example, using R&B progressions with dancehall drum patters etcetera,” he explained.The accumulation of over 100 million streams of 450’s Wild n’ Rich across several platforms is his biggest accomplishment, to date.He is working on multiple tracks to be released locally and internationally throughout the year.
2026-02-15 16:36:13

US shutters its Dominican anti-drug office over corruption claims
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AFP) — The United States (US) said Thursday it was closing its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in the Dominican Republic over unspecified corruption claims."I will not tolerate even the perception of corruption anywhere in the Embassy I lead. To that end, today I am announcing the closure of the DEA office in Santo Domingo until further notice," Leah Campos, the US ambassador to the Caribbean nation, said on X.The Dominican Republic has sought to position itself as an ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking.Last November, the country said it would allow the United States to use an air base and airport as part of an anti-drug operation that saw dozens killed in strikes on boats Washington said, without providing evidence, were trafficking narcotics.That announcement came during a visit by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to Santo Domingo.Earlier the same month, Dominican authorities announced they had seized about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of cocaine from a boat intercepted during a joint operation with US forces."Corruption holds no place in the U.S. government or any other government," wrote Campos, without specifying the allegations she was referring to."It is a disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust to use one's official capacity for personal gain."The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with troubled Haiti.
2026-02-12 21:28:33

Back 2 Bass-es, a musical treat
Free bass guitar lessons were given at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on February 4. That is where Back 2 Bass-es, an event showcasing six of reggae’s finest musicians, took place.Errol “Flabba Holt” Carter, Daniel “Axeman” Thompson, Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, Boris Gardiner, Jackie Jackson, and Lloyd Parks revisited some of their finest moments, playing to a packed amphitheatre of students and mature patrons.Their playing was interspersed with anecdotes of each song which held the attention of students and connoisseurs alike.The event, produced by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), was endorsed by the musicians.“Bwoy, mi love dis! Supn like dis should happen long time,” said Flabba Holt, founder of the Roots Radics Band. “Me’d a love carry dis guh Europe.”Dennis, a member of The Firehouse Crew, agreed.“People know the songs, but a lot of the time they don’t know the musicians. So, with something like this, they can put a face to the songs,” he said.Dennis and Thompson spoke about their admiration for Holt, who played some of his famous bass lines which included Night Nurse by Gregory Isaacs, Don’t Want To Be No General by Dennis Brown, and Tune In by Gregory Isaacs.Thompson, a leading session musician for 40 years, had the audience rocking to the grooves of Lazy Body by Echo Minott, Original Foreign Mind by Junior Reid, and Lots of Sign by Tenor Saw.For lovers of more contemporary sounds, Dennis recalled his heyday on songs such as It’s Me Again Jah by Luciano, Thank You Mama from Sizzla, and Capleton’s Jah Jah City.They set the pace for 90 minutes of classic rocksteady and roots-reggae tracks courtesy of Messrs Gardiner, Jackson and Parks.Each gave stories about their time working with producers like Clement Dodd and Duke Reid and Joe Gibbs, and the talented artistes who recorded for them.Jackson was in fine form on Alton Ellis’s Girl I’ve Got A Date and Get Ready Rocksteady, Don’t Stay Away by Phyllis Dillon, 54-46 by Toots and The Maytals, and The Wailers’ Hypocrites, Israelites by Desmond Dekker and The Aces, By The Rivers of Babylon by The Melodians, and Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come.On Don’t Stay Away, 54-46, Hypocrites, Israelites, By The Rivers of Babylon, and The Harder They Come, Jackson was accompanied on vocals by his daughter Courtni, a recent graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.Gardiner, a contemporary of Jackson’s, revelled on Pat Kelly’s You Don’t Care, The Heptones’ Why Did You Leave and Sea of Love.He showed his reggae chops on the Lee “Scratch” Perry-produced War Ina Babylon by Max Romeo and Police And Thieves by Junior Murvin.Parks, band leader for We The People Band, had the audience jumping to Ken Boothe’s Everything I Own, Beres Hammond’s Groovy Little Thing, Dennis Brown’s Should I, Inna Dis Ya Time by The Itals, and Number One by Gregory Isaacs.On the latter, Parks saluted Sly Dunbar, who played drums on it 46 years ago.Dunbar died on January 26.The bass guitarists were accompanied by the Gen Z Band, led by saxophonist Dean Fraser, singers Dehdeh Blacks, Janeel Mills and Bijean Gayle.
2026-02-07 05:26:00

Talent on show
In commemoration of Black History Month, which is celebrated in February, the University Dramatic Arts Society (UDAS) at The University of the West Indies, hosted NNEKA, a celebration of black artistry at Philip Sherlock Centre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, February 5.Some 15 university students performed a range of items including dub poetry, songs, drama, skits, and spoken word.The talent on display was impressive and appreciated by the audience, which comprised university students.Jayson Lawrence, main organiser of the event and a second-year banking and finance student at The University of the West Indies, told the Jamaica Observer that NNEKA is one of the main events for UDAS.“It’s an event that basically is one of our flagship events. This is held to honour black artistry, because the campus is known for parties and other events. We wanted to show a different side of the campus, while honouring that side of black artistry. So that’s the whole idea behind NNEKA,” said Lawrence, who is also the president of the UDAS.Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle was impressively sung by first-year biology student Vanni.“Well, in the spirit of Black History Month, and the month celebrating my favourite genre which is reggae music, I thought that this song was very fitting, to celebrate reggae music and reggae culture. I really like the song, and it shows a different side, and the crowd just immersed itself into the performance,” Vanni, who performed at Reggae Sumfest in 2022, told the Jamaica Observer.For first-year banking and finance student Abigale Morris, her dub poem, titled The Journey of a Thousand Miles, was inspired by a real-life scenario.“The inspiration behind the piece came from a situation where a 15-year-old, who is motherless, is facing a lot of challenges. The remaining family members don’t treat her right and they live in what is called a big yard. It speaks about the struggles and their fight to see the light,” said Morris.Her piece received rousing applause from the audience.Another dub poem that got the green light from the audience was Jamaica 61 by Xaview Bryan, a first-year economics student at The UWI.“I feel like the message in the poem was very strong, and I feel like the whole vibes around it would’ve gotten the crowd excited and engaged, and it did. The first time that I performed it at church it got a huge reception,” Bryan shared.Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts third-year music education student Makalia Benjamin had the audience singing along to her interpretations of Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill’s Turn Your Lights Down and The Nightshift by The Commodores. But her original song Stand, performed with emotion and gusto, was what bowled the audience over.“A friend of mine has lupus and sometimes she feels like giving up. But the song is an encouragement, telling her whatever she’s going through, just stand and never give up. I wrote this song to also inspire others, to just stand when you feel like you can’t be strong,” Benjamin told the Observer, while confiding that she felt nervous performing the song for the first time.“I was very nervous and I wasn’t sure how they would react, but the audience loved it. I felt great about that.”There were other creditable performances by the Rex Hall Drama Society, the Rex Hall Choir, the Chancellor Hall Performing Arts Society, Groovements and the Panoridim Steel Orchestra.
2026-02-07 05:24:00

BRINGING IT HOME!
Jamaicans will finally get the rare chance to see international basketball on home soil as the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) is pressing ahead with hosting the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. The national senior men’s basketball team, The JamRockers, continue their quest to secure World Cup qualification for the first time when they take on Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Group B action in Americas Qualifiers.The Jamaica Observer understands that JABA have not yet secured the full $44 million required to host the qualifiers but are in advanced talks to have the funding in place ahead of the two fixtures. Tickets have also gone on sale through JABA’s official social media pages.JABA president Paulton Gordon was unavailable for comment but a source told the Observer that things are progressing well with sponsors finalising their commitment.Jamaica were forced to forego hosting duties in November in their opening game against Puerto Rico following an unsuccessful inspection two months prior by world governing body FIBA. The two potential venues, the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston and the Montego Bay Convention in St James, did not meet mandatory standards, including the absence of an internationally approved scoreboard and upgraded basketball hoops.It meant that Jamaica would play their first two games in San Juan but ended up winning both games against the Puerto Ricans, 92-90 and 97-92 to move joint top of the group.The games against Bahamas and Canada in Jamaica would be the first time the country has hosted a FIBA level competition.Jamaica Head Coach Rick Turner told the Observer that the opportunity to stage high-level basketball at home will give the sport and overall economy a major boost.“As basketball grows, have more eyes are on us and if we continue to have success, which we expect to have, then the sport has no choice but to grow,” he said.“And if we put on a show in Kingston on February 26th and March 1st that gets more people turned on to basketball, then ultimately, that’s going to be a good thing for not just the basketball community, but the entire country because it’s an economic driver and you know the more times we’re able to play games in the country, the more times we’re bringing people into the country, we’re providing economic opportunity within the community for sponsors — like all of that is good for the health of Jamaica as a whole, but also for basketball.”Wins against fourth-placed Bahamas on two points and joint group leaders Canada on four points would see Jamaica secure passage to the final round of qualifying as one of the top three teams and move a step closer to next year’s World Cup in Qatar.The squad is set to be finalised next week but will continue to be without newly minted NBA All Star Norman Powell of the Miami Heat as NBA teams aren’t obligated to release players in-season for FIBA competitions.It will also mean Canada will be without the likes of reigning NBA MVP and champion Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and 2023 NBA champion Jamal Murray while Bahamas will be missing Los Angeles Lakers centre Deandre Ayton and star guard Buddy Hield.
2026-02-07 05:22:00

Organisers hail ‘amazing’ 3rd staging of Ardenne Optima 5K
THE third staging of the Ardenne Alumni Foundation Optima 5K walk/run has been hailed as a huge success by organisers, with registration numbers surpassing the 1,000 figure that was targeted for this year.The event, which was held on February 1, featured Garfield Gordon, who retained the men’s title, while first-time entrant Dandi Williams took the female section.Flo Darby, chairperson of the alumni foundation, was pleased with the growth of the event.“It was amazing. We got a lot of people, a lot of support. We have grown! Every year it gets bigger and bigger, and so this year I was so delighted at the number of persons who came out,” she said.Darby handed over the plans for the wellness centre, to be built from proceeds of the 5K, to the school’s acting principal.“We got the approval on Friday from the KSAMC [Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation], and it was such a delight. We have been waiting a long time for it because, as you know, schools have special particulars that they have to deal with and so we had to make sure that everything was in place,” she beamed.Jacqueline Pinto, acting principal of Ardenne High School, praised everyone who participated in the event.“For this year, the Optima 5K, I am very, very grateful for the attendance of the members who participated — it is much more than we had last year. We are aware that over 1000 persons have registered and we should have had about 800 here.”Pinto spoke of plans to commence building the wellness centre this year.“We got the plans for the construction of our wellness centre... and we will be, with board approval, commencing the construction in this school year. We are grateful for all the financial and human resources support that we can get because this wellness centre will be a benefit to the children of Jamaica — not only Ardenne High School and the staff members. We are going to have a wellness centre that is state of the art and the best in the Caribbean, that can be a model for other educational institutions,” she noted.Westwood High School was also one of the beneficiaries of the 5K. Westwood Principal Karen Francis did not hide her delight at the support provided by Ardenne High to their rebuilding efforts, after the devastation sustained during the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October last year.“I am truly elated as Ardenne Foundation has donated to us $1.1 million for our post-Hurricane Melissa relief efforts. We are truly thankful to the foundation... This will definitely be used to assist us in our rebuilding efforts and we are truly, truly grateful. We give God thanks,” she said.Race Director Alfred Francis of Running Events Jamaica endorsed the event.“We have seen significant growth with this event and I know that it will continue to grow. The energy that’s here is just all positive, and it has turned out to be a wonderful morning,” he said.Gordon, the men’s 5K run winner, was happy to retain the title.“This year I was cautious, and the breeze made the route a bit harder because it was heavy, but I feel good that I got the win. The main aim was to come out and defend the title so I am feeling really good. The cause is going towards wellness, so it’s a good cause,” he said.Williams, the winner of the women’s 5K run, was pleased to win on her first try.“I love the route, I love the uphill challenge. I think the uphill was at the right time and so the ending was good as well because I was coming down, so it was a good race overall. I didn’t mind the wind, to be honest,” she said.
2026-02-07 05:21:00

Jamaica brimming with confidence ahead of Davis Cup clash with Uruguay
JAMAICA’S Davis Cup Head Coach Noel Rutherford believes the team’s current form gives him extreme confidence as they look to beat Uruguay in their two-day World Group Two Qualifiers starting today at the Liguanea Club in Kingston. Led by the country’s number one-ranked Blaise Bicknell, Jamaica are aiming to qualify for the Davis Cup Group Two for the first time in two years, having lost to Barbados in 2024 and New Zealand in 2025, both at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in Kingston. Jamaica’s last success at this stage came in 2023 when they got the better of Estonia.Though five games are scheduled following Friday’s draw, the first team to win three matches will secure the overall tie.Veteran Rowland “Randy” Phillips, who recently returned from retirement, will begin the country’s campaign as he takes on Franco Roncadelli in the opening singles game at 11 am, before Bicknell battles Joaquin Aguilar Cardozo.Jamaica’s pair of Daniel Azar and Nicholas Gore are set to challenge Uruguay’s Roncadelli and Cardozo in the doubles on Sunday.If necessary, Bicknell and Phillips will play each other’s opponents from day one on Sunday.Though weary of the Uruguayans, Rutherford believes his team has what it takes to get the job done.“[Uruguay] just came down from Group Two so they don’t want to stay here, for sure. So, they’re going to give everything,” he told the Jamaica Observer.“Blaise is hitting extremely well, and when Blaise is on he can beat anyone. He has a massive forehand, he has a massive serve, and his confidence is through the roof. Randy, I don’t have to tell you much about Randy because he’s going to give everything he’s got so, hopefully, we’ll go 2-0 up. The first match is important — you win the first match and it boosts the second match, it gives them a lot of confidence. And we have the crowd behind us, so that is important, and I think we just have to hope for the best that the guys are on this weekend and make Jamaica proud.”Rutherford believes the team’s chemistry is the best it’s ever been, having worked through prior issues.“I remember a year and a half ago, you remember what was going on with this everlasting back and forth with who should be on the team. Now? That has not been the case and I’m very happy,” he said.“It’s one Jamaica, one flag, and the same goal, so everybody’s working towards the same thing — and that’s a good thing. The team is structured properly, and I think we just have to hope that that they go this weekend and they come up with the result that we really hope for.”Last year the tie went to the wire as Jamaica went down 2-3 to New Zealand. The Jamaican team came from behind twice to level the series at 2-2 but Phillips, despite winning the first set 6-3, went down 3-6 3-6 to John Loutit, which promoted the Kiwis to Group Two.
2026-02-07 05:18:00

Champion Bubbler the clear choice in George HoSang Trophy feature
Given the racing conditions and her running style, seven-year-old American-bred bay mare Champion Bubbler looks the prime candidate to win this afternoon’s feature event, the $1.25-million George HoSang Trophy.The Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward will run over five furlongs (1,000m) straight and will see Champion Bubbler taking on 13 other runners in what is expected to be a thrilling event.Trained by the capable Spencer Chung, Champion Bubbler has a proven track record, especially on the straight five-furlong course. Her last win came over this distance on May 3, 2025 when she outpaced Pack Plays and Is That A Fact, showcasing her exceptional speed and stamina.She has two runs under her girth this season and on those occasions she finished in second place. Champion Bubbler finished 9 lengths behind the out-of-class Nautical Star in the St Catherine Cup (6 furlongs) on January 17, and before that she was beaten by 4 3⁄4 lengths by Zulu Warrior.With Tevin Foster partnering her at 54.0kgs (119lb), Champion Bubbler has the track bias in her favour, drawn at post-position 11. Her ability to stalk and finish strong makes her the top contender.The race is positioned as the 10th and final event on the day, with a post time of 5:30 pm. First race is at 11:35 am.Other horses to watch include Another One, Unruly Mo, and Bulletproofcoffee, who could challenge Champion Bubbler’s bid for victory.Another One finished third behind Zulu Warrior and Champion Bubbler at this distance on January 3. He has the class and talent to challenge for top honours despite Champion Bubbler’s presence. His last win came at today’s distance, beating Commander Z by a short head in 58.3 seconds on December 14, 2025.Unruly Mo, a four-year-old American-bred bay colt, has run decent races over this distance in the past. If he focuses well enough, he can earn a piece of the cake here.Bulletproofcoffee always runs best over straight course. She has raced seven times last season, winning two races, and those two victories were over the straight course at five furlongs. Bulletproofcoffee has worked fairly well and is expected to run accordingly.
2026-02-07 05:16:00

Cricket to the Coore
Whether the stands were packed or empty, Stephen “Cat” Coore would be at Sabina Park watching the West Indies. He revelled in their many victories during the glory years, and bemoaned the team’s chronic decline in the past two decades.Coore, who died on January 18 at age 69, was a lifelong cricket fan. He was also a longstanding member of Kingston Cricket Club, owners and co-managers of Sabina Park, the scene of countless West Indies triumphs.In a 2016 interview with the Frolic Hawai’i magazine, Coore was asked what he would have done if he had not become a musician.“If I were to have had a calling to do anything else besides music, I’d have played cricket. I love the sport a lot, I love the challenge of it, being something that takes a very long time — Test cricket sometimes takes three, four days, and one has to pace themselves through the three days of playing,” he said. “I like that very much and I like the whole attitude and I like the intellectuality of the game. Sports would have been something I would have been into, either from a technical or coaching standpoint, or from actually playing.”Jeffrey Dujon, who played most of his 81 Tests as a wicketkeeper/batsman for the West Indies from 1981 to 1991, was close friends with Coore. He represented Kingston Cricket Club in the local Senior Cup and has been a member since his youth.“Cat and I have been close friends for almost 40 years. We both were ‘Stud Book’ members of KCC by virtue of our fathers being members, but never knew each other well then,” Dujon told the Jamaica Observer. “Cat loved cricket and had a vast knowledge of my era in the game to the extent that he would remind me of things I or the West Indies team did that I had forgotten.”In recent years, their cricket conversations centred on the deterioration of the West Indian game. Coore was never afraid to share his thoughts on the main reasons for that precipitous fall.“He was very concerned about the current situation and we had many conversations regarding the reasons for this. He was of the opinion that the current players do not put in the work and set goals as we did in our careers,” said Dujon.Coore was the son of David Coore, a lawyer, who helped shape Jamaica’s Constitution in 1961, serving as the country’s deputy prime minister and finance minister during the 1970s. He co-founded Third World in 1973, at the height of social transformation in Jamaica, brought about by the policies of Prime Minister Michael Manley, who came to power the previous year.West Indies cricket was also in transition, with greats like Garfield Sobers and Rohan Kanhai coming to the end of their careers.Dujon, who last saw Coore two days before his death, described him as “a great friend” with an unbridled passion for Jamaica.“Patriotism was also an issue with him. As was his father, the Honourable David Coore, and his brothers Ivan and Michael,” he said. “Cat was a very bright guy with a great knowledge of a myriad of subjects. There was always laughter and lively conversation when he was around.”
2026-02-07 05:14:00

St Elizabeth wins Region Two senior citizens domino honours
Cassandra Morrison, director of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), says engaging senior citizens in activities like dominoes promotes healthy, active ageing and combats isolation, particularly among men. On Thursday, the National Association of Domino Bodies/NCSC domino tournament, held at St Elizabeth Technical High School, brought together teams from St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, St Elizabeth, and Manchester, showcasing the competitive spirit and camaraderie among senior citizens. St Elizabeth defeated Manchester 20-12 to take the Region Two title at the tournament.“I think, despite the weather, we had an awesome day today. We are all about promoting healthy, active, and productive ageing and we try all of these types of events to get our senior men out,” Morrison said.Morrison noted that men are at risk when isolated, and chronic conditions can affect them.“We know that men are at risk when they are isolated when we have the chronic conditions that affect them and so it is very important for men to participate in activities such as our domino competitions,” she said.Morrison noted that men often withdraw from positive activities, instead of gravitating towards less desirable pursuits, and that the NCSC aims to reverse this trend through initiatives like the domino tournament.“The point is true that we have a lot more women participating in these activities than men. The fact of the matter is that women are more easily engaged and women as aged they are more active, and we find the men withdrawing themselves sometimes in negative activities.“We find them in the bars and other places we don’t want them, but the NCSC is taking different approaches, which the domino is one, to find the men and to get them actively engaged in things that they like to do. A lot of our activities really, I would say, they are probably easier for women to be accustomed to and so we have to try and find different activities that men like that they would want to participating in so that we can have them coming out and engaged,” Morrison explained.Humbert Davis, president of the NADB, continued to praise the dominoe cognitive benefits.“Playing dominoes boosts memory and engages the brain and mind, facilitating information encoding, storage, and retrieval,” he said.
2026-02-07 05:12:00

Venezuela amnesty bill excludes gross rights abuses under Chavez, Maduro
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP)-Venezuelan Members of Parliament on Thursday started examining an amnesty bill which will cover "treason" and other charges used to lock up dissidents, but not "serious violations" committed over 27 years of socialist rule, a draft showed.The bill is an initiative of interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who stepped into the shoes of long-term leader Nicolas Maduro after he was deposed in a US military operation one month ago.Rodriguez, who has been working with US President Donald Trump on access to Venezuelan oil, has been under pressure to end a system of repression that saw hundreds of government critics thrown in jail.The "Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence," of which AFP obtained a copy, covers "treason," "terrorism" and spreading "hate" -- charges frequently used in the past to imprison dissidents.Significantly, it lifts bans on several opposition members, including Nobel Peace laureate Maria Corina Machado, from running for office.It covers events such as the failed 2002 coup against then-president Hugo Chavez, various cycles of protests between 2004 and 2024, and it ends sanctions for criticism posted on social media or messaging services."It is recognized that it is important not to impose vengeance, retaliation or hatred, but to open a path toward reconciliation," said the text.While warning against a desire for vengeance, the bill does not grant amnesty for serious rights abuses committed under the administration of Maduro and his firebrand predecessor, Chavez."Excluded from its benefits" are offenses such as "serious violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, war crimes, intentional homicide, corruption, and drug trafficking," which, under the constitution, cannot be included in a pardon or amnesty.It does however cover unspecified "offenses" committed by judges, prosecutors and other officials.- Turning the page -The announcement last week of the amnesty bill triggered scenes of rejoicing across Venezuela, fueling hopes for the speedy release of hundreds of political prisoners still languishing in prison a month after Maduro's ouster.The director of the country's leading human rights NGO, Foro Penal, welcomed the draft law as a major step towards reconciling a deeply divided country."Amnesty is the framework that will ensure... that the past does not serve to halt or derail transition processes," Alfredo Romero told AFP.Responding to fears expressed by some Venezuelans that its wording is vague enough to pardon crimes committed by "Chavismo" -- the hardline socialist policies of Chavez and Maduro -- he said: "A reconciliation, a transition, cannot be a process of persecution against those who previously held power."- 'Forceful message' -The head of Venezuela's parliament Jorge Rodriguez -- the interim president's brother and a staunch Chavista -- said Wednesday he hoped the law would "send a powerful, forceful message of the intention of a new political moment."The Socialists have an absolute majority in the unicameral parliament, meaning the bill is expected to easily pass.The start of the parliamentary debate coincided with a new round of talks between the government and a faction of the Venezuelan opposition that has distanced itself from a majority wing led by Machado, a Nobel Peace prize laureate.The opposition is seeking fresh elections to replace those held in July 2024, and which Maduro claimed to have won despite no official figures ever being released. Much of the world considers he stole the vote.Maduro acolytes were left in power after American troops whisked him away in cuffs to stand trial on drug charges in New York.But Delcy Rodriguez's government has come under pressure from the United States, which has agreed to work with her in the short term while speaking of an eventual transition to democracy.Rodriguez, despite being a close Maduro ally, has indicated a willingness to cooperate.Her government has released hundreds of political prisoners and taken steps towards restoring diplomatic ties with Washington, which were severed in 2019.
2026-02-05 19:32:06

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