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  • ZIMI Seh Beach takes over Puerto Seco on Sunday

    ZIMI Seh Beach takes over Puerto Seco on Sunday

    In a strategic expansion beyond its established Best Weekend Ever series, ZIMI Entertainment is launching a standalone beach extravaganza at Puerto Seco Beach Club this Sunday. This marks the brand’s first independent beach event since 2022, produced in collaboration with logistics powerhouse Main Event Entertainment Limited.

    Nicholas Mahfood, Director of ZIMI Entertainment, revealed the event will feature innovative aquatic staging with performance platforms and cabanas situated directly in the water. The food-inclusive experience promises to deliver the same high-energy atmosphere and quality execution that has become synonymous with the ZIMI brand.

    The partnership with Main Event represents a calculated growth strategy for the entertainment brand. Mahfood emphasized this expansion mirrors the successful evolution of their other properties: ZIMI Seh Road (2016), ZIMI Seh Riva (2017), and ZIMI Seh Brunch (2018). This aquatic event follows their groundbreaking brunch event at Caymanas Park last January.

    Patrick Scott, Production Manager at Main Event Entertainment, highlighted the technical complexities of producing such events, noting that building stages in open water requires highly trained crews and rigorous safety protocols. The company’s twenty-year logistics expertise provides the foundation for delivering world-class experiences.

    The collaboration emerged after Main Event’s successful venture into production with last May’s Jamaica Auto Show. Mahfood indicated Sunday’s event might feature surprise celebrity appearances, reminiscent of Skippa and Skillibeng’s cameos at last December’s ZIMI Seh Riva event.

    This production sets the stage for ZIMI’s traditional August 9th beach event within the Independence celebration series, demonstrating the brand’s continued innovation in Jamaica’s entertainment landscape.

  • Siblings target javelin glory

    Siblings target javelin glory

    A compelling narrative of familial inspiration and athletic rivalry is set to unfold at the National Stadium as 16-year-old Devaune Freemantle of Vere Technical prepares for the boys’ javelin open final at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The young athlete draws immediate motivation from his sister, Ramona Freemantle, who secured a silver medal in the girls’ javelin event just yesterday.

    The sibling athletes from Ocho Rios, St. Ann, maintain a healthy competitive dynamic while consistently supporting each other’s athletic endeavors. Devaune openly acknowledges following his sister’s path into track and field, recently achieving a personal breakthrough by surpassing the 40-meter mark. His aspiration to medal in today’s competition mirrors his sister’s accomplishment.

    Ramona’s journey to javelin success demonstrates remarkable adaptability. Initially pursuing sprinting where she demonstrated considerable speed, she transitioned to throwing events following an injury setback upon recommendation from a former coach at Vere Technical. This strategic shift has yielded significant results—besides her javelin silver medal, she placed fourth in the Class 1 girls’ discus throw with a distance of 45.79 meters.

    Thursday’s javelin final presented a dramatic contest where Ramona led for extended periods before being narrowly defeated by Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel on countback after both athletes recorded identical throws of 45.09 meters. This silver medal represents Ramona’s second Champs podium appearance, improving upon her bronze medal performance from the previous year.

    As the athletic spotlight turns to her younger brother, Ramona will be among the spectators, wearing her newly won silver medal and cheering for Devaune to achieve podium success while contributing valuable points to Vere Technical’s overall championship tally.

  • JWN, Xodus ready to thrill for 2026 Carnival

    JWN, Xodus ready to thrill for 2026 Carnival

    The strategic alliance between beverage giant Campari and premier event organizer Dream Entertainment Limited continues to flourish as they launch their fourth consecutive Carnival partnership in Jamaica. Communications Manager Dominic Bell of J Wray & Nephew Limited (Campari’s local subsidiary) characterized the ongoing collaboration with Xodus Carnival as evidence of sustained mutual growth and brand development.

    Bell emphasized that Xodus represents the largest Carnival band in Jamaica, providing Campari with an ideal platform to engage consumers while showcasing the brand’s identity as cool, confident, and sensual within festive environments. The partnership was celebrated at the recent Campari Mixology Experience & Lime event held at the company’s New Kingston headquarters, where specially invited partners enjoyed live musical performances by Laing D, interactive games, and expertly crafted mixed drinks.

    According to Bell, the gathering served as both a relationship-building opportunity and an educational platform for media representatives and influencers to learn about Campari’s signature Carnival offerings. These include Campari Grapefruit, Campari Orange, and the locally favored Rumpari cocktail. The company emphasized responsible consumption practices alongside mixology demonstrations.

    Scott Dunn, Group Managing Director of Dream Entertainment Limited, described the Campari-Xodus collaboration as a ‘power couple’ pairing that consistently delivers maximum results. He noted that Carnival embodies beautiful women, premium drinks, and exceptional entertainment—elements both brands combine to create Jamaica’s most premium week of events.

    This year’s Xodus Carnival adopts the ‘OlympiX’ theme and features an expanded calendar for the 2026 season. The lineup includes the return of Xodus Wet on Easter Monday, Lost in Paradise, Bacchanal J’Ouvert, alongside signature events like Xodus Fete Gala, Xodus Tailgate, and Xodus Remedy. Dunn expressed particular excitement about launching Carnival Week with the Campari Xodus Wet Music Festival, featuring performances by artist Voice and extensive brand activations.

    Dunn attributed Xodus’s continued success to dedicated teamwork and constant innovation, noting that while patrons see the final glory, they rarely witness the extensive preparation behind the scenes. The partnership exemplifies how alcohol brands and entertainment providers can create synergistic relationships that enhance consumer experiences while driving commercial objectives.

  • Troupe: Confidentiality fears driving students away from guidance counsellors

    Troupe: Confidentiality fears driving students away from guidance counsellors

    Jamaica’s education system faces a persistent challenge in overcoming student reluctance to utilize guidance counselling services, according to Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. Speaking at Thursday’s Education Transformation Oversight Committee quarterly briefing at Shortwood Teachers’ College, Dr. Troupe identified deeply entrenched trust issues stemming from misconceptions about confidentiality as the primary barrier.

    The official, drawing from her nine years of experience as a guidance counsellor at The Queen’s School, provided candid insights during a session prompted by a student’s question from Immaculate Conception High School. Dr. Troupe acknowledged the profession has long struggled with perceptions of trustworthiness while explaining the complex ethical dilemmas counsellors face.

    A critical misunderstanding revolves around the non-absolute nature of confidentiality in counselling relationships. Dr. Troupe clarified that guidance professionals operate within strict ethical boundaries that sometimes require disclosure—particularly when students express intentions of self-harm or pose safety concerns. “When a student reveals plans to hurt themselves,” she explained, “the counsellor assumes an additional responsibility to engage other stakeholders for protection purposes. While this may appear as a confidentiality breach, it constitutes a professional obligation.”

    The Ministry recognizes that traditional counselling approaches don’t suit all students, especially those uncomfortable with face-to-face adult conversations. In response, education authorities are developing complementary support structures including enhanced peer-to-peer counselling frameworks and student-led initiatives that operate alongside professional services.

    Dr. Troupe vigorously defended the competence and dedication of practising school counsellors, emphasizing that existing distrust reflects systemic misunderstandings rather than professional inadequacy. The Ministry continues to work toward multidimensional support systems that address both psychological needs and privacy concerns within Jamaica’s educational institutions.

  • MoBay Freezone head supports plan to gradually relocate BPOs

    MoBay Freezone head supports plan to gradually relocate BPOs

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — In a significant economic development move, Montego Bay Free Zone (MBFZ) Chairman Mark Hart has endorsed the Jamaican Government’s strategic initiative to relocate business process outsourcing (BPO) operations from the free zone to a specially designated area along the Montego Bay Perimeter Road. This transition aims to address infrastructure modernization challenges and enhance the country’s competitive positioning in the global BPO market.

    Hart, who became one of the inaugural tenants when MBFZ launched in 1989, emphasized that current facilities no longer meet international standards compared to modern campuses emerging in Latin American competitors like Honduras and the Dominican Republic. He noted that these countries have developed sophisticated BPO and light industrial complexes with superior amenities, creating urgent need for Jamaica to upgrade its infrastructure.

    The chairman articulated his support during the Employment Creation Awards ceremony in Montego Bay, aligning with Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s vision outlined during the 2026/27 Budget debate. The government’s plan involves gradually transferring BPO and light industrial activities to purpose-built facilities along the emerging economic corridor of Montego Bay Perimeter Road.

    Hart characterized the relocation as a ‘win-win’ scenario, explaining that the prime oceanfront property currently occupied by BPO operations could be repurposed for high-value resort development and mixed-use projects. Meanwhile, BPO facilities primarily require robust connectivity and road infrastructure rather than premium waterfront locations.

    Prime Minister Holness envisions transforming the liberated Freeport peninsula into a landmark development featuring commercial, retail, and premium residential spaces integrated into Montego Bay’s urban landscape. The centerpiece would be a performing arts theater dedicated to showcasing Jamaican music, folklore, and cultural heritage globally, drawing inspiration from Miami’s celebrated Brickell waterfront.

    Reflecting on MBFZ’s evolution from sportswear manufacturing and basic data processing four decades ago to today’s complex digital operations, Hart emphasized the critical need for advanced facilities to meet sophisticated client requirements. Modern BPO services now encompass complex customer support solutions, financial transactions, healthcare services, and software development—all demanding state-of-the-art infrastructure.

    The chairman also highlighted the imperative to prepare for artificial intelligence integration, noting that while AI’s full impact remains uncertain, it presents substantial opportunities for upskilling and service enhancement rather than wholesale job displacement. Hart urged proactive investment in both physical infrastructure and workforce development to attract companies seeking AI-ready operational environments.

  • Lifeline for Tesha Miller

    Lifeline for Tesha Miller

    In a significant judicial development, Jamaica’s Court of Appeal has nullified the convictions and sentences of alleged criminal organization leader Tesha Miller related to the 2008 murder of Jamaica Urban Transit Company chairman Douglas Chambers. The appellate court’s Friday ruling declared Miller’s 2019-2020 trial proceedings fundamentally invalid, resulting in his acquittal for being an accessory after the fact to murder.

    The three-judge panel determined that procedural irregularities during jury selection had compromised the trial’s integrity, specifically noting that Miller was improperly denied his full entitlement to four peremptory challenges. This judicial error effectively voided the original proceedings, rendering them legally nonexistent.

    Despite this acquittal, the court ordered a fresh trial for the more serious charge of accessory before the fact to murder, citing the offense’s gravity, Jamaica’s concerning murder prevalence, and the prosecution’s apparently strong evidentiary case. The retrial must commence within six months of Miller completing his current ongoing trial, where he faces multiple charges under Jamaica’s anti-gang legislation alongside twenty-four co-defendants.

    The appellate decision addressed Miller’s central legal argument that his conviction should be overturned because the alleged principal shooter, Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan, had been acquitted in 2016. The court explicitly rejected this interpretation of criminal liability, stating no general legal principle exists where an accessory’s conviction automatically becomes invalid upon the principal’s acquittal.

    Miller had been serving a 38-year, nine-month prison sentence imposed in January 2020 after his original conviction. Prosecutors, including then-Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, had vigorously defended the convictions during appeal hearings and requested a retrial should the court overturn the verdicts, emphasizing the strength of available evidence despite the case’s chronological complexity dating back fifteen years.

  • BossMom Builds tops $30m for housing push

    BossMom Builds tops $30m for housing push

    Five months after Hurricane Melissa wrought devastation across Jamaica’s southwestern regions, reconstruction initiatives maintain critical urgency. Spearheading these efforts is BossMom Builds, a charitable organization transforming compassion into tangible action for affected communities.

    Founded by Jamaican entrepreneur and Food For the Poor Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Gordon, the initiative has remarkably surpassed its original fundraising objectives. Initially targeting $10 million immediately following the hurricane, the campaign has now exceeded its expanded $30 million goal, demonstrating extraordinary philanthropic response.

    Through strategic partnerships with Food for the Poor Jamaica and the URGE Foundation, BossMom Builds is currently implementing substantial reconstruction projects. The organization is constructing 20 new residences for families displaced by the natural disaster while simultaneously facilitating roof repairs for 50 homes throughout impacted communities. This brings their total housing construction output to 32 homes since 2022, reflecting sustained commitment to long-term recovery beyond immediate disaster response.

    “We asked, and many people helped so we are able to build more,” stated Gordon. “Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us rebuild homes, restore hope, and keep our mothers and children safe.”

    The philanthropic endeavor operates as the charitable wing of the BossMom Network, a collective of entrepreneurial mothers united by the principle that thriving women form the foundation of thriving families. The initiative embodies the conviction that successful businesswomen can provide fellow mothers with life’s most essential requirement: secure, stable housing.

    Notable support has emerged from international celebrities including reggae artist Ziggy Marley and Orly Marley of the URGE Foundation, who have been instrumental in resource mobilization and international awareness campaigns. Country music star Kenny Chesney, maintaining longstanding connections to the Caribbean region, has also contributed significantly to the fundraising campaign.

    Corporate and media alliances have further amplified the initiative’s reach. Organizations including GraceKennedy, Ford Motor Company, the FirstRock Foundation, and Arizona’s Family TV station have provided substantial support, enhancing both visibility and operational capacity.

    Marsha Burrell-Rose, marketing and public relations manager at Food For the Poor Jamaica, emphasized the power of collaborative effort: “Partnerships like this remind us that we are stronger together. BossMom Builds, the URGE Foundation, and Food For the Poor are combining faith, purpose, and action to rebuild communities and restore lives across Jamaica. This is compassion in motion.”

    Each home delivered through the initiative arrives completely furnished and move-in ready, equipped with essential amenities including furniture, gas stoves, indoor sanitation facilities, solar-powered lighting systems, water storage solutions, kitchen supplies, and initial food provisions.

    Gordon acknowledged that while substantial progress has been achieved, housing needs persist throughout western Jamaica. Consequently, BossMom Builds has further expanded its campaign objectives to assist additional families requiring safe accommodation. The organization continues appealing to individuals, corporate entities, and diaspora members to support ongoing reconstruction efforts through designated channels at Food For the Poor Jamaica, with all contributions exclusively allocated to BossMom Builds initiatives.

  • Blue FLAME

    Blue FLAME

    The penultimate day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships has set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, with two powerhouse teams establishing seemingly insurmountable leads. Inside Kingston’s National Stadium, Edwin Allen High and Jamaica College have positioned themselves to reclaim and retain their respective titles, leaving their rivals with a monumental challenge on the final day.

    On the girls’ side, Edwin Allen has mounted a formidable campaign to recapture the throne they lost to Hydel in 2025. Demonstrating exceptional team depth and performance across multiple events, they have amassed a commanding total of 151.5 points after 23 of the 46 scheduled finals. This places them a staggering 35.5 points ahead of the defending champions, Hydel, making an 11th overall title a near certainty barring any unforeseen circumstances in Saturday’s finale.

    The narrative is equally compelling in the boys’ championship, where Jamaica College (JC) has delivered a masterclass in track and field dominance. Their athletes have performed at peak levels, accumulating a massive 189 points with just half of the finals completed (21 of 42). This has created a cavernous 67-point deficit for their historic rivals, Kingston College (KC). The gap is so significant that it would require an unprecedented reversal of fortune for KC to challenge for the title, signaling that JC’s charge toward glory is all but assured.

  • Climate Voices’ animation project equips young artists for advocacy

    Climate Voices’ animation project equips young artists for advocacy

    A groundbreaking six-month training initiative, spearheaded by Saint Lucian leadership, has successfully equipped emerging artists from the Caribbean and Africa with powerful animation tools for climate advocacy. The ‘Climate Voices’ 2D Animation Training Project concluded after transforming participants into skilled storytellers capable of communicating environmental challenges through visual media.

    Produced by Malfinis Film and Animation Studio Inc. for Youth IRIE and the Caribbean Climate Justice Project, the program received funding from SOLORICON under the guidance of renowned Saint Lucian scientist and climate justice advocate Dr. James Fletcher. The project specifically targeted young creatives, teaching them how animation could effectively convey the urgency of climate action and highlight environmental issues affecting their local communities.

    Following an extensive regional outreach campaign and rigorous portfolio-based selection process, forty participants from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Nigeria embarked on the comprehensive training journey.

    Milton Edison Branford, Manager and Creative Director of Malfinis Film and Animation Studio Inc., led the project alongside a team of experienced facilitators and technical specialists. Participants received expert guidance through the complete animation production pipeline, including scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, animation production, and post-production techniques.

    The program’s practical component involved dividing participants into production teams tasked with creating original animated short films focused on environmental advocacy and climate change awareness. Three teams successfully produced final animated projects that utilized compelling visual storytelling to explore the profound effects and pressing urgency of the climate crisis.

    Dr. Fletcher expressed remarkable admiration for the quality of work produced, noting that ‘the animations were smooth, professionally executed, and of a quality comparable to professional studios, even though many of the participants entered the program with little or no prior animation training.’

    The completed animations are scheduled for distribution across organizational websites and social media platforms, where they will function as potent advocacy tools to raise climate change awareness among global audiences.

    The training employed an innovative hybrid delivery format, combining in-person sessions at Malfinis Film and Animation Studio in Saint Lucia with virtual participation from artists across the region through the studio’s licensed training platform. Participants utilized industry-standard Toon Boom Animation software as the primary production tool throughout the program.

    During the closing ceremony, trainees received formal certificates recognizing their successful completion of the intensive program. Participants universally expressed pride and gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting how the program demystified complex animation concepts while providing invaluable professional development and creative confidence.

  • Oekraïne sluit veiligheidsdeals in het Midden-Oosten tegen Iraanse drones

    Oekraïne sluit veiligheidsdeals in het Midden-Oosten tegen Iraanse drones

    Ukraine has nearly finalized a series of groundbreaking security agreements with Middle Eastern nations, including a recently announced pact with Saudi Arabia, to bolster defenses against Iranian drone attacks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha disclosed these developments during an interview on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the Saudi agreement through social media, characterizing it as a ‘significant arrangement’ that establishes foundations for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investments. This defense partnership emerges amid escalating Iranian attacks on Gulf states, which have intercepted hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles since February.

    The United Arab Emirates and Qatar, both severely impacted by these attacks, are engaged in advanced negotiations with Ukraine regarding unmanned technology cooperation. Sybiha indicated these discussions represent the most progressed talks among current diplomatic efforts.

    Gulf nations have deployed over 800 Patriot missiles for defense since conflict initiation and now seek to leverage Ukraine’s expertise in countering Russian drones and missiles. Ukraine has evolved into a leading producer of cost-effective yet highly efficient interception drones. Reports indicate Russia launched more than 19,000 drones against Ukraine during winter alone, positioning the country as a global leader in counter-drone technology.

    Beyond technical knowledge sharing, Ukraine aims to secure financial support and investments in exchange for its drone warfare expertise. The prolonged conflict continues straining Ukraine’s economy, which faces enormous reconstruction costs, military expenditures, and humanitarian needs. Investments from the Gulf region could significantly enhance both economic stability and defense capabilities.

    With the war entering its fifth year, Ukraine remains dependent on international support to sustain its defense efforts. The volatile Middle East situation, particularly the US-Israel-Iran conflict triangle, creates uncertainty regarding continuity of Western military supplies.

    As peace negotiations stall, Kyiv is exploring China’s potential role as mediator. China maintains close ties with Russia and hasn’t joined sanctions against Moscow. Although not directly involved in peace talks, China remains Ukraine’s primary trading partner. Sybiha confirmed receiving an invitation for discussions in China, potentially occurring within two months.

    Drone warfare represents one of Ukraine’s most pressing military challenges. During one particularly intense aerial assault, Russia launched 948 drones within 24 hours, resulting in two casualties. Ukraine has consequently deployed specialized anti-drone experts to assist Gulf states in defending against Iranian attacks, accounting for unique regional conditions including sandstorm interference.