Young Garvey — There were not many positive stories about Rastafari when singer Young Garvey was a boy. In his circles, adults spoke disparagingly about the faith and those who practised it. As a teenager, he embraced Rastafari and consistently espouses his commitment to the movement’s tenets in his songs, including Cool Natty, his latest. It is produced by Leroy Sibbles. “Rasta is a way of life, I proud to be a Rastaman ’cause is a livity. Is a positive … Read entire article »

Trump … will use the meeting to thank the leaders for their support for peace and democracy in Venezuela.– WASHINGTON  AP —The White House says President Donald Trump will meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the leaders of four other Caribbean countries on Friday in an effort to strengthen cooperation on security and trade issues. The meeting at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Florida resort, will also feature the leaders of The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Saint Lucia. Andrew … Read entire article »

Lynvale Bloomfield— East Portland Member of Parliament, Dr Lynvale Bloomfield, was found murdered at his home in Passley Gardens in the parish on Saturday morning. Bloomfield, a second-term MP, was, at the time of his death, a member of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP). He was 59. The medical doctor is the third PNP member in five years to die while serving as Member of Parliament. In August, 2014, Roger Clarke, then minister of agriculture, died after a … Read entire article »

  A policeman searches a man at a checkpoint in the Corporate Area as a member of the Jamaica Defense Force looks on. The state of public emergency in sections of the Corporate Area has been extended for three months to January 7. The extension was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. On September 23, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the state of public emergency in several communities within the Kingston Western, Kingston Central and St … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer—    Naomi Cowan— First recorded at producer Clement Dodd’s Studio One in the early 1970’s, Queen of The Minstrels is one of reggae’s enduring rhythms. It has driven a number of hit songs, the latest being Paradise Plum by singer Naomi Cowan. Paradise Plum is number one on the South Florida Reggae Chart, arguably the most influential reggae list in the United States. The song, which entered the chart thirteen weeks ago, is a breakout hit … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson Observer senior reporter—    Miss Lou —   Mention the name Miss Lou, and a wave of pride and nationalism floats over the vast majority of Jamaicans for the work and worth of folklorist, poet, writer, stage and screen actress, social activist and educator, Louise Bennett Coverley. Born in Kingston on September 7, 1919 on North Street in Kingston, she would rise to become the leading proponent in preserving the practice of presenting poetry, folk songs and stories … Read entire article »