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  • Carnival leaders seek $1.5m from govt to revive ‘Music Masters’

    Carnival leaders seek $1.5m from govt to revive ‘Music Masters’

    Carnival band organizers in The Bahamas are advocating for the reinstatement of government financial support to resurrect a pivotal music competition they believe could significantly enhance the nation’s standing as a premier regional festival destination. Dario Tirelli, chairman of the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association, revealed that organizers anticipate meeting with government representatives within the coming month as preparations advance for the June 3-7 celebrations in New Providence.

    Despite the ongoing regional carnival season, with Trinidad and Tobago already hosting events, no substantive discussions regarding funding have occurred. Mr. Tirelli acknowledged the political sensitivities of an election year but emphasized the community’s resilience: “We’ve operated without governmental support for several years, though official backing would substantially improve our capabilities.”

    Promotional activities have commenced locally in New Providence, with international marketing campaigns expected to intensify once costume designs are finalized. Organizers report receiving international inquiries since December, demonstrating sustained global interest in Bahamian carnival celebrations.

    The most significant deficit identified by organizers is the absence of the “Music Masters” program—a competitive platform for Bahamian soca music that previously connected local artists to major regional stages. This program became unsustainable after the government reduced its carnival subsidy by 50% in 2017 before eliminating funding completely in 2018.

    Mr. Tirelli estimates that approximately $1.5 million would be required to produce and internationally market the festival at an optimal level. “Government support could cover essential production and marketing expenses,” he explained. “While promoters and band owners handle event coordination and costume production, sponsorship opportunities have diminished significantly across Bahamian cultural activities, making official funding crucial for the event’s international competitiveness.”

  • Two accused in ‘sophisticated’ multimillion dollar fraud to return to court

    Two accused in ‘sophisticated’ multimillion dollar fraud to return to court

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant financial fraud case involving millions of dollars and multiple banking institutions has been postponed in Jamaica’s judicial system. Two defendants, Ivana Campbell and Dwayne Pitter, appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday to address serious criminal charges including forgery, conspiracy to defraud, and unlawful possession of identity information.

    The sophisticated criminal operation, which allegedly targeted financial sector security protocols between January 2023 and April 2024, involved the use of fraudulently obtained genuine documents and counterfeit identification materials. According to investigative authorities, the accused employed elaborate methods to assume various professional identities, effectively bypassing standard verification measures at numerous financial institutions.

    Pitter faces additional serious charges including possession of criminal property, with recent supplementary charges filed by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA). The case involves a third co-accused, medical practitioner Chloe Duoett, who was previously charged in January and remains in custody on separate charges including firearm safety violations and document forgery.

    During Tuesday’s proceedings, Presiding Judge Alwayne Smith addressed the absence of Pitter’s legal representation, noting that no attorney had appeared for the defendant by midday. Both Campbell and Pitter have been instructed to return to court on July 2 for further proceedings, while Pitter remains in custody awaiting resolution of his legal representation issues.

  • Holness urges young Jamaicans to modernise public sector

    Holness urges young Jamaicans to modernise public sector

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant address at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a compelling call to action for Jamaica’s emerging leaders. Speaking at a forum organized by Generation 2000, themed ‘Beyond Bureaucracy: Jamaica’s Resilience for the Digital Age,’ Holness positioned bureaucratic reform as both a national priority and global imperative.

    The Prime Minister presented a stark analysis: the very architects of existing bureaucratic systems cannot be expected to dismantle them. This transformation, he contended, must be driven by younger generations equipped with digital-age thinking. Holness characterized bureaucracy as a worldwide challenge requiring innovative solutions rather than incremental adjustments.

    Central to his vision is the metamorphosis of Jamaica’s public sector into a smart, agile apparatus focused on tangible outcomes rather than procedural compliance. The Prime Minister drew a direct connection between systemic inefficiency and corruption, challenging the conventional wisdom that more legislation automatically improves governance.

    Holness advocated for nothing less than a cultural revolution within government institutions—shifting from activity-based metrics to impact measurement. This paradigm change, he suggested, would not only modernize operations but fundamentally enhance service delivery and governance quality across Jamaica.

  • Man remanded in custody after mother refuses to drop case

    Man remanded in custody after mother refuses to drop case

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A judicial proceeding at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court this Tuesday unveiled a complex familial and legal dilemma centered around mental healthcare. A young man, facing charges of larceny from a dwelling, was remanded into custody amidst revelations of his ongoing mental health challenges.

    The complainant in the case, who is also the accused’s mother, pursued legal action against her son. During the court session, she disclosed to presiding Judge Alwayne Smith that her son had a documented history of mental illness, including prior treatment at Bellevue Hospital, Jamaica’s primary inpatient mental health facility.

    Law enforcement officials involved in the case informed the court that the individual was reportedly not adhering to his prescribed medication regimen. When questioned by Judge Smith, the accused stated, “I went to the clinic and them never have any,” while acknowledging he had not returned to seek further treatment.

    Judge Smith recognized the seriousness of the allegations but emphasized the inadequacy of incarceration as a solution for mentally ill individuals. “I am not dismissing the seriousness of the allegations,” Smith stated, adding, “I know that’s what some of you want…but that’s not the solution…they are your relatives and you are supposed to take care of them.”

    The judicial recommendation for familial support was met with resistance when the mother expressed unwillingness to have her son return home during the trial proceedings, responding to the judge’s inquiry with, “Take him where? I don’t want him there.”

    Concluding the hearing, Judge Smith mandated two psychiatric evaluations to determine the defendant’s competency to stand trial. The case has been adjourned until June 2, pending the assessment results.

  • Wives twice as likely to call ‘sweetheart’ their main partner

    Wives twice as likely to call ‘sweetheart’ their main partner

    A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of The Bahamas has uncovered significant findings about emotional attachment patterns in extramarital relationships and their potential consequences. The research, led by Dr. Shamel Yvonne Rolle-Sands, examined emotional dependency among unfaithful spouses in Bahamian couples, providing new insights into what locals describe as ‘sweethearting’ practices.

    The investigation revealed that more than half (51%) of unfaithful spouses demonstrated either high or severe emotional dependency on their extramarital partners, with women showing notably stronger attachment than their male counterparts. Researchers employed a comprehensive scaling system from 0 to 88 to measure dependency levels, where scores above 23 indicated high dependency and above 37 signified severe emotional reliance.

    A particularly striking finding emerged regarding partner prioritization: 21.6% of unfaithful wives considered their extramarital partner as their primary relationship, compared to only 8.8% of unfaithful husbands. The study further established a correlation between frequency of extramarital sexual encounters and increasing emotional dependency levels.

    Dr. Rolle-Sands emphasized the significant mental health implications, noting that high emotional dependency creates vulnerability to domestic violence situations. ‘The scores indicate that both victims and perpetrators, regardless of gender, face increased risk of domestic violence involvement when their emotional dependency scores are elevated,’ she explained. The research challenges conventional perceptions of extramarital relationships as purely physical arrangements, highlighting their complex emotional dimensions and potential societal impacts.

  • Valiant concludes North American tour with sold-out grand finale

    Valiant concludes North American tour with sold-out grand finale

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—Dancehall phenomenon Valiant has spectacularly concluded his groundbreaking North American tour with an electrifying sold-out performance at New York’s prestigious Terminal 5 venue on February 15. This triumphant finale crowned the ‘Passenger Princess Deluxe Valentine’s Edition’ tour, solidifying the artist’s emergence as an international musical force.

    The artist’s continental conquest commenced in October 2025 with the ‘Prove Them Wrong: Passenger Princess Edition’ tour, a two-month musical journey that defied industry expectations across multiple markets. The tour’s production team expressed awe at the overwhelming response, noting: ‘New York’s energy remains unparalleled. The transition from a capacity-filled Brooklyn show in November to the legendary Terminal 5 in February demonstrates how fans aren’t merely listening—they’re actively participating in this cultural movement. This tour fundamentally challenged skepticism, and the outcomes unequivocally validate Valiant’s artistic vision.’

    Critical milestones during the initial tour leg included completely sold-out performances in Los Angeles and Brooklyn during November 2025—events so impactful they necessitated Valiant’s return to New York for an expanded engagement. Responding to extraordinary public demand, the artist launched the ‘Passenger Princess Deluxe’ extension this February, delivering powerful performances in Montreal and Toronto before culminating in Manhattan.

    The three-date February series embraced a distinctive ‘Valentine’s Edition’ thematic approach, attracting massive, energetically charged audiences that witnessed Valiant’s exceptional artistry in blending authentic dancehall storytelling with captivating melodic sophistication. This strategic expansion from traditional dancehall venues to mainstream concert halls signals a significant evolution both for the artist and the genre’s commercial viability in international markets.

  • Gas explosion kills at least 38 miners in central Nigeria

    Gas explosion kills at least 38 miners in central Nigeria

    A catastrophic gas explosion at a lead mining operation in Nigeria’s central Plateau State has resulted in a significant loss of life, with 38 miners confirmed dead and 27 others hospitalized with injuries. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday morning between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. local time at the Kampanin Zurak site in the Wase district.

    According to local authorities, including acting traditional ruler Alhaji Aliyu Adamu Idris, the victims were working underground when the explosion, attributed to a buildup of carbon monoxide, ripped through the mining pit. Rescue efforts were immediately launched by fellow miners from adjacent sites, but the scale of the blast proved overwhelming.

    Ibrahim Dattijo Sani, a miner working nearby, described the suddenness of the event to AFP, stating, “We are close to the sites, people were inside the mining pits and suddenly a gas exploded. We tried many efforts for rescue but unfortunately 38 people have died.”

    The mining site is reportedly operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited. This region, with its capital Jos historically known as the ‘Tin City,’ has a long-standing mining tradition, though activity has diminished in recent years. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers within Nigeria’s extractive industries, where safety protocols are often inadequate.

    This tragedy follows a similar pattern of mining disasters in the country. Just last September, at least 18 individuals lost their lives in Zamfara state when a boulder collapsed onto an illegal mining operation during heavy rainfall. Nigerian authorities have repeatedly cited illegal mining as a catalyst for worsening bandit violence, with criminal organizations extorting protection fees from miners.

  • Jamaican model Althea Laing to headline Chic & Champagne

    Jamaican model Althea Laing to headline Chic & Champagne

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The fashion landscape of Jamaica is poised for transformation as Let Dian Find It (LDFI) Fashions prepares to host its groundbreaking Chic & Champagne event on February 21 on South Avenue. This exclusive gathering promises to redefine fashion discourse by creating an intimate, conversational space for style-conscious women.

    The centerpiece of this innovative fashion experience will be Althea Laing, celebrated as Jamaica’s first internationally successful model. Laing’s participation represents a significant moment for Jamaican fashion heritage, connecting the industry’s pioneering past with its contemporary evolution.

    Event creator Dian Hamilton, CEO of LDFI Fashions, conceived Chic & Champagne as a deliberate departure from traditional fashion presentations. “I envisioned creating a relaxed, intimate environment where women could congregate, socialize, and explore fresh narratives about fashion and personal style,” Hamilton explained. “Althea immediately emerged as the ideal inspiration when conceptualizing this event’s vision.”

    Laing’s remarkable career trajectory—from St. Elizabeth-born schoolteacher to international model and actress—includes the distinguished achievement of gracing the cover of Essence magazine twice. Her scheduled ‘Fireside Chat’ will address the concept of aging gracefully, approached with characteristic authenticity and empowering perspective.

    “As women age, unless genetically blessed with youthful attributes, the visible signs of aging naturally emerge,” Laing stated. “The fundamental principle lies in dressing appropriately for every stage of life while maintaining personal confidence.”

    Beyond modeling, Laing has successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship with her 2025 launch of Icon Beauty by La Laing. The comprehensive product line features specialized formulations including brightening serum, anti-aging retinol serum, foam cleanser, and an inclusive range of lipstick shades.

    Reflecting on her multifaceted career, Laing attributes her success to profound resilience and self-assurance. “My life experiences have fundamentally shaped the strong, confident, and persevering woman I am today,” she shared. “I owe immense gratitude to my mother, the late Carmen Gloria Reynolds, whose love instilled the moral values, wisdom, and courage required to navigate life’s challenges. These qualities remain my guiding principles throughout my ongoing journey.”

  • Blakkman, Dexta Daps and Bounty Killer lead Seaview Gardens benefit concert

    Blakkman, Dexta Daps and Bounty Killer lead Seaview Gardens benefit concert

    The third annual Seaview Gardens Community Assistance Project, set for March 29, will feature headline performances from dancehall luminaries Blakkman, Dexta Daps, and Bounty Killer. This benefit concert transcends conventional entertainment by integrating education, service, and collective responsibility into its core mission.

    Emerging artist Blakkman conceived the initiative as an annual platform where music serves dual purposes: entertainment and community elevation. The event specifically targets Seaview Gardens, an inner-city community renowned as the breeding ground for iconic artists including Shabba Ranks and the Scare Dem Crew.

    “When I presented the concept to Bounty Killer and Dexta Daps, their support was immediate and unwavering. Their endorsement catalyzed participation from numerous other artists,” Blakkman revealed.

    The 2026 edition marks the project’s most ambitious undertaking yet, with over 40 artists collectively waiving appearance fees to prioritize community impact over personal profit. This demonstration of unity transforms the concert from a mere event into a purpose-driven movement.

    Since its inception, the initiative has distributed scholarships, direct cash assistance, and in-kind support to Seaview Gardens residents, emphasizing tangible outcomes rather than symbolic gestures. Past events have seen voluntary participation from major artists including Beenie Man, Tommy Lee Sparta, and I-Wayne.

    The project gains organizational strength through partnership with Let Us S.O.A.R (Serve Others, Achieve Reciprocity), an organization supporting artist-led humanitarian efforts. Founder Sherone White is spearheading expanded corporate engagement efforts with local and international businesses.

    “Blakkman has established more than a concert; he’s created a sustainable commitment to his community. Our mission is to transform that commitment into enduring scholarships, resources, and opportunities,” White stated.

    International educator Alexis C Graves contributes an educational framework for student development, while Jim Parker handles on-the-ground coordination in Jamaica. The initiative welcomes diverse support forms including sponsorships, equipment, services, and manpower.

    White concluded: “We’re dedicated to making this year’s event an unprecedented success to elevate Seaview Gardens and its residents through structured, accountable long-term planning.”

  • Barbados diplomat says Caribbean owes a duty to Cuba

    Barbados diplomat says Caribbean owes a duty to Cuba

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados’ Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (Caricom), David Comissiong, has characterized the current situation in Cuba as a severe humanitarian crisis requiring immediate international response. In a compelling letter, Comissiong emphasized the special historical relationship between Caricom nations and Cuba, urging collective action from governments and citizens of conscience worldwide.

    The crisis has intensified since January when the Trump administration moved to disrupt oil supplies powering Cuba’s energy grid and critical infrastructure. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested economic reforms could ease pressure but declined to specify conditions, emphasizing that Cuba must grant greater economic freedom alongside political reforms.

    Recent developments saw Mexican humanitarian aid ships docking in Havana, with President Claudia Sheinbaum vowing additional support while prioritizing Cuba’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, social media has amplified heartrending accounts from Cuban citizens describing elderly patients dying without medication, neonatal incubators shutting down from fuel shortages, and what Comissiong termed ‘terrorism through hunger’ via deliberate US policies.

    The diplomat invoked the 1972 defiance of four Caribbean leaders – Prime Ministers Eric Williams, Michael Manley, Forbes Burnham and Errol Barrow – who broke regional isolation policies against revolutionary Cuba. This historic action established embassies across independent Caricom nations and initiated decades of Cuban assistance in medicine, education, sports, agriculture and disaster response.

    Comissiong called for urgent provision of food, medical supplies, solar energy equipment and other essentials. He highlighted that for 33 years, the UN General Assembly – excluding only the US and Israel – has voted to condemn the American embargo. Notably, all permanent UN Security Council members (France, China, UK and Russia) consistently supported anti-embargo resolutions.

    The ambassador challenged these nations to ‘put their money where their mouths are’ by supplying oil despite US tariff threats, arguing that as permanent Security Council members they bear special responsibility to uphold international law. Comissiong warned that the assault on Cuba represents a broader threat to multilateralism and the UN system itself, concluding that assisting Cuba constitutes both a moral duty and a crucial step in preserving global order and safety.