分类： entertainment

After years of repeated postponements and procedural disruptions caused by witness relocation, the long-awaited murder trial involving prominent Jamaican dancehall performer Munga Honorable and his co-defendant Sheridan Gordon finally commenced at Kingston’s Home Circuit Court on Monday.

The 48-year-old artist, legally named Damian Rhoden, and Gordon stand accused of the 2017 fatal shooting of Cleveland Smith, a 39-year-old resident of the Ackee Walk neighborhood in St Andrew. Court documents confirm Smith is the cousin of fellow dancehall entertainer Mr Vegas, a detail that has drawn widespread public attention to the case since it was first filed.

On the opening day of proceedings, the prosecution’s first eyewitness took the stand to give her account of the 2017 incident. Under oath, she told the court that she clearly observed both Rhoden and Gordon open fire on Smith as he rode his bicycle through the neighborhood. She testified that after the barrage of bullets stopped, Smith remained motionless on the ground beside his vehicle, leaving no doubt of the severity of his injuries.

Ahead of the midday adjournment for lunch, the judge revoked bail that had been granted to both defendants shortly after their initial arrest in 2017. Court observers from the Jamaica Observer witnessed the two men being led out of the courtroom in shared handcuffs, escorted by two armed officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The artist was documented moving at a slow pace as he exited the building, with both men remaining in cuffs when they returned to the court for afternoon proceedings.

When the session drew to a close for the day, lead defense attorney Christopher Townsend formally petitioned the judge to reverse the bail revocation, noting that the pair had complied with all bail conditions for nearly seven years without incident. The judge granted the defense’s request, extending bail for both defendants until the trial resumes this Thursday.

The official police account of the 2017 incident states that Smith was confronted by a group of armed men while he attended a local community entertainment event. Authorities allege that a confrontation broke out between Smith and the group, during which he was struck by multiple gunshots. He was immediately transported to Kingston Public Hospital by emergency responders, but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility. The case has remained a high-profile topic in Jamaica’s entertainment community for nearly a decade, with the trial’s opening marking a major milestone in the legal process.

In a glittering ceremony held last Saturday night at Wolmer’s Boys’ High School’s Douglas Orane Auditorium, history was made as Hannah Collings-Myers, representing Digita Properties Limited, claimed the title of the first-ever Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew. The 20-year-old medical sciences student from The University of the West Indies was just as shocked as the gathered audience when her name was announced as the inaugural winner, marking the culmination of months of rigorous preparation and personal growth.

Collings-Myers’ pageant journey began two years earlier, when Jermane Blair, franchise manager for the Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew competition, first spotted her at a local fashion show and encouraged her to enter. Speaking to Jamaica Observer shortly after the midnight coronation, the new queen shared her surprise and gratitude for the experience. “Surprise, yes, I am. This journey has been terrifying; I have been so scared to do everything, but I’ve put my best foot forward, and I don’t know why I’m so surprised to see that it came with good results. But I guess that it just wasn’t what I expected, but I’m extremely happy with the results,” she said.

Looking back on the intensive training and preparation that led her to the crown, Collings-Myers emphasized that the competition offered far more than a title—it was a life-changing opportunity for self-discovery. “The training was definitely hard, lots of long days, but it was worth it. I have taken away a new sense of self. I was so unsure about coming into this competition, and the fact that I came here, put my best out and could win, it shows me that I am much more than I think I am,” she explained. She added that while Blair sparked her initial interest, she chose to see the competition through because it offered a chance to step out of her comfort zone and grow as a person—an outcome she says she has fully achieved.

Blair, who first recognized Collings-Myers’ unique potential two years prior, shared his pride in the new queen’s achievement. “I met Hannah at a fashion show two years ago and I thought that she was so beautiful. Her way of communicating was just so mature, and her responses were so intellectual. I reached out to her and encouraged her to enter, but she decided to enter this year, and she did the work, and look at her now — she is the new queen tonight,” he said enthusiastically.

Originally from Manchester, Jamaica, Collings-Myers previously resided in Montego Bay before relocating to Kingston to complete sixth form at Immaculate Conception High School in St Andrew, putting her in the region eligible for the new competition.

The historic event kicked off just after 8 p.m. with a high-energy opening number that captivated the sold-out audience. Twenty-one competing contestants first introduced themselves to the judges and crowd, before the field was narrowed down to a top 14 semi-finalists: Leighann Dacres-Jones (Miss Mt Sinai Dental and Implant Centre), Shanika Scott (Miss Island Gully Falls Ltd), Rachel Newman (Miss Carefree), Collings-Myers, Shaniece Douglas (Miss Janga’s Soundbar and Grill), Daenya Anderson (Miss Covenant Insurance Brokers Ltd), Shanya Francis (Miss Caribbean Glass Company), Claire Schwapp (Miss STL Solar), Ottavia Bradshaw (Miss Jarrett Auto Parts), Tiyana Mowatt (Miss Saxby), Ruesheen Ricketts (Miss Advance Integrated Systems), Akanke Scott (Miss VM Group), Calethia Campbell (Miss Orion Loss Adjusters), and Tenneil Sewell (Miss Legend Beer).

Next came the fan-favorite swimwear segment, where competitors showcased designs from Jamaican brand Kaydian Nicely Exclusive, dazzling the crowd before judges cut the field once more to a top 11. Advancing contestants included Dacres-Jones, Akanke Scott, Shanika Scott, Sewell, Schwapp, Ricketts, Mowatt, Douglas, Francis, Newman, and Collings-Myers.

Between competitive segments, the audience enjoyed standout performances from the Laud Dance Ministry and recording artist Alicia Taylor, before the semi-finalists took the stage in elegant evening wear from designer Atelier Dermoth Williams. Another elimination followed the evening wear round, narrowing the competition down to just three finalists who advanced to the grueling final interview round: Collings-Myers, Mowatt, and Douglas.

Before the final winner was announced, the competition awarded a series of sectional prizes to recognize standout contestants: Abigail Barnes (Miss Bailey’s Food and Beverage) took home the Most Congenial title; Calethia Campbell won the Altruism Award; Leighann Dacres-Jones claimed both the People’s Choice Award and Best in Swimwear; Shanika Scott won Best in Evening Gown; Shaniece Douglas was named Most Photogenic; and Tiyana Mowatt received the Essence of Style Award.

When the final results were announced, Collings-Myers claimed the inaugural crown, with Tiyana Mowatt, a practicing medical doctor, securing second place as first runner-up, and Shaniece Douglas finishing in third place. In a major announcement at the close of the event, organizers confirmed that Collings-Myers and both of her runners-up will receive an automatic spot in the national finals of the Miss Universe Jamaica competition, where they will go on to compete for the chance to represent Jamaica at the global Miss Universe pageant.

In a major announcement from its Paris presentation Tuesday, Japanese gaming powerhouse Nintendo has confirmed that a brand-new remake of its genre-defining 1998 action-adventure masterpiece *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* is in development for the company’s upcoming Switch 2 console. The reveal came during a pre-recorded livestream showcasing Nintendo’s pipeline of upcoming releases, though company representatives shared only limited details about the highly anticipated project, confirming only that the title will launch sometime this year to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the entire *Legend of Zelda* franchise. When the original version of Ocarina of Time launched for the Nintendo 64 console in 1998, it revolutionized the global gaming industry. It introduced players to an unprecedentedly immersive, intricately detailed open 3D world and a groundbreaking combat mechanic that let players lock on to individual enemies— a feature that is now a universal standard across nearly all 3D action and adventure games today. The game follows its iconic green-tunic-clad hero Link on a sprawling adventure that bends time itself, splitting his journey between childhood and adulthood, as he battles the dark tyrant Ganondorf to rescue Princess Zelda and save the kingdom of Hyrule from destruction. For decades, *Ocarina of Time* has retained its reputation as one of the greatest video games ever created, consistently topping “best games of all time” lists from leading gaming publications and holding a nearly perfect 99% aggregate critic score on the review platform Metacritic. This is not the first time Nintendo has revisited the classic title: back in 2011, the company released an updated remake for its Nintendo 3DS handheld console, which reworked the original’s low-polygon graphics to leverage the device’s stereoscopic 3D display technology. The entire *Legend of Zelda* franchise has grown into one of Nintendo’s most successful and enduring intellectual properties, with global sales of all series entries topping 140 million units to date. The most recent mainline installment, 2023’s *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*, became the fastest-selling game in franchise history, cementing the series’ ongoing popularity decades after its debut. Beyond the new game remake, Nintendo is expanding the Zelda franchise beyond interactive entertainment: a big-budget live-action *Legend of Zelda* feature film is currently in production and scheduled to hit theaters worldwide in April 2027.

A groundbreaking new sophisticated social event is gearing up to debut this summer in Jamaica, blending high-fashion aesthetics, curated entertainment, and charitable giving for an unforgettable experience for attendees across all age groups.

Organized by veteran stageshow producer Isaiah Laing — the mastermind behind Jamaica’s iconic Sting stage show — ‘Elegance: The Ballroom Experience’ is scheduled to take place July 19 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel’s grand ballroom, running from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The event is planned as the first installment of an ongoing series focused on refined, accessible entertainment for fashion and music lovers.

In comments to Jamaica Observer Online, Laing highlighted that the event was designed to fill a gap in the local events landscape: many patrons from diverse age groups are eager for a polished night out, but often avoid informal or unsecure party venues. To address this concern, Laing prioritized securing a safe, upscale location at the Jamaica Pegasus, giving guests the rare opportunity to show off high-end formal wear that often sits unworn in closets between major events.

The event’s musical lineup has been carefully selected to match its sophisticated vibe, with no overly loud or rowdy tracks planned. Top selectors including Master Rogj, Krazy Kris, Welton Irie, and DJ VJ Snow will bring decades of expertise to the turntables, spinning a curated mix of classic soul, disco, R&B, and lovers rock. Laing noted that DJ VJ Snow was added specifically to enhance the immersive experience, as he pairs his sets with synchronized visual projections displayed on a large screen for attendees.

Beyond music and fashion, the evening will include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine for all guests. Two major prizes will be awarded: $1,000 USD each to the best-dressed couple and the best dancer of the night. A portion of all proceeds from the event will be donated to the JCF Convalescence Home in Black River, St. Elizabeth, extending the event’s impact beyond entertainment to support local community care.

Laing shared that planning for the debut event has progressed smoothly overall, though he acknowledged the logistical complexity of pulling off the sophisticated experience that attendees expect, even compared to his large-scale work on Sting. “This is a bit easier, but it’s been very technical, too, because of the location and the expectation of what it will be,” he explained.

For guests looking to secure their spots, tickets are available for purchase online via touchstonelink.com, as well as at multiple physical outlets across Jamaica. Outlets in Spanish Town include the Don P Complex and Sharmz Curry Pot, while Kingston-based buyers can purchase tickets at Fontana Pharmacy Waterloo, DLux Restaurant and Lounge, and Wok Express Restaurant.

Event publicist Ramona Samuels shared that organizers are confident the event will deliver a one-of-a-kind memorable experience for attendees. “The ballroom ambiance in summer is what makes this event unique,” she said, noting that the elegant dress code, curated throwback music selection, and focus on sophisticated fun set it apart from other local events. “We’re encouraging party lovers and lovers of souls, R&B, disco, and fans of luxury, elegance, and fashion to enjoy an evening of sophisticated enjoyment,” she added.

Fresh off earning silver certification in the United Kingdom for his breakout 2015 hit *Shabba Madda Pot*, popular Jamaican dancehall recording artist Dexta Daps is marking another major career milestone, with a new chart win that cements his growing international footprint.

On Monday, Daps’ latest studio single *Shine* climbed four spots up the USA iTunes Reggae Chart, jumping from the 9th position to land at number 6, a new career high for the track in one of the world’s largest and most competitive music markets.

Crafted by production team Aljero Shevon Barnett, Billy Summers, and Daniel Fuller Grossman, with writing credits split between Dexta Daps himself and songwriter Sheldon Taylor, *Shine* generated massive public interest almost immediately after its launch. The track’s resonant message and catchy production helped it climb global reggae charts at an impressive pace, winning over fans old and new in the process.

The single’s accompanying music video, a collaborative directorial project between visual creator Lagikz and Daps, was filmed entirely on location in Seaview Gardens, the Kingston community that the artist calls home. Shot among the neighborhood’s residents and infused with the area’s signature vibrant energy, the visual leans into raw authenticity and deeply personal storytelling. It captures the intergenerational spirit of the community, weaving a narrative of homecoming that strikes an emotional chord with viewers even outside of Jamaica.

In an official statement shared with *Observer Online*, Dexta Daps spoke to the meaning of the latest chart achievement, saying, “To have my own music and message hit the top 10 on iTunes means everything. This is for the people who have always held me down and for everyone who dares to step into their own light.”

As of this report, *Shine* is available for both streaming and digital download across all major global music platforms.