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KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Canadian man has been charged in connection with the theft of millions of dollars worth of Hurricane Melissa relief supplies destined for Jamaica from the North American country last year. Varinder Dhillon, 40, of Brampton, was slapped with multiple offences, including breaking and entering, theft of over CA$5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and multiple breaches of probation orders. The charges were announced by the...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican-born author, transformational speaker, and media founder Jenelle Simpson has officially launched Mirror to the Mic, a new global quarterly magazine designed to amplify authentic voices, with a powerful foundation rooted in Caribbean identity and lived experience. Created under the Life’s Deceit brand, Mirror to the Mic is not just a publication—it is a platform built to challenge silence, confront truth, and create space for healing across generations. Born...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former Government minister and distinguished attorney Hugh Hart died on Thursday plunging the legal and political communities into mourning. He was 96. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness paid tribute to the man who served in the Cabinet in the mid- to late- 1980s, noting that Hart gave decades of distinguished service to Jamaica, both in public service and the legal profession. Holness said that Hart “helped to...

Ernie Smith, whose easy-listening songs ruled Jamaican airwaves during the 1970s, has died. The singer-songwriter, who was ill for some time, passed away at the University of Miami Hospital on Thursday, according to his manager, Joanna Marie Robinson. Smith’s wife, Claudette Bailey Smith, told Observer Online that he died shortly after suffering “cardiac incidents”. Early this week, she disclosed that he underwent a “surgical procedure” on April 9, two days...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The 48-hour curfew imposed in sections of the St Andrew South Policing Division has been extended. The curfew will continue from 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 16, and will remain in effect until 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 18. The boundaries of the curfew are as follows: East – From Chisholm Avenue/Maxfield Avenue travelling southerly to East Avenue intersecting at Marcus Garvey Drive. South – From Marcus Garvey Drive vicinity...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — JN Foundation has channelled approximately $1.4 million to the Mustard Seed Communities’ (MSC) Blessed Assurance home in St James to assist with critical rebuilding following severe damage by Hurricane Melissa. According to a release, the funds were allocated from monies raised through the ISupportJamaica Fund, activated by the JN Foundation as Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica. The fund received contributions mainly from Jamaicans overseas and friends...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday it has resumed dealings with Venezuela after a seven-year pause, reopening a channel that could eventually restore the country’s access to global financial support. The fund said the decision follows backing from member countries representing a majority of its voting power, allowing it to engage with the administration led by Delcy Rodríguez in line with its rules on government...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Procurement is under way for a renewable energy laboratory at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS). Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dana Morris Dixon, advised that the lab will be constructed over the summer holiday and is expected to be opened in September. “Students will learn about solar technology. They'll learn about solar installation. They will learn about the batteries. They'll learn about wind...

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz on Wednesday sought to reassure residents of deep rural communities that his commitment to providing an additional 100 new school buses to the National Rural School Bus Programme (NRSBP) stands unwavering. Addressing guests at the official opening of the Rural School Bus Operation Centre at the Jamaican Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Lyndhurst Road Depot, Vaz noted that the new buses which are currently being procured will...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), one of Jamaica’s leading human rights organisations, presented a cheque for $250,000 to support residential facilities housing children in state care. In a release, it was shared that the donation, which includes part proceeds from the 2025 Run for Rights 5K Walk/Run, was symbolically handed over on April 9, 2026 to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA). These funds will assist recovery...

The Office of The Director of Public Prosecution Seek Witnesses For Court

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Technology firm MC Systems is urging banks and cash-intensive businesses to adopt a new cash automation system, arguing that the technology can cut costs, reduce risk and free up staff time in operations still heavily reliant on manual cash handling. The company recently introduced the DN Series 600V Teller Cash Recycler during a series of demonstrations in Kingston, targeting financial institutions, remittance companies, retailers and other businesses...