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  • Kintyre Holdings expands manufacturing capacity with new chemical plant and water bottling assets

    Kintyre Holdings expands manufacturing capacity with new chemical plant and water bottling assets

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica-based investment firm Kintyre Holdings Limited has closed a strategic $40 million-plus all-equity acquisition that adds three key operational assets to its fast-growing manufacturing subsidiary, BOLD Manufacturing & Distribution. The transaction encompasses a functional chemical manufacturing facility, a fully outfitted five-gallon water bottling plant with integrated purification technology, and an existing white label production contract for chemical manufacturing, marking another major milestone in the subsidiary’s rapid expansion trajectory.

    Unlike many early-stage acquisitions that require years of ramp-up to generate income, all newly purchased assets are already revenue-generating, company officials confirmed in a Thursday press release. The acquired chemical plant will immediately support production of industrial and consumer chemical products, which will be distributed through existing partner Miracle Corporation alongside a pipeline of new distribution agreements being developed across high-priority regional markets.

    The addition of the five-gallon water bottling operation expands BOLD Manufacturing’s growing presence in Jamaica’s expanding domestic water distribution market, building on a separate acquisition the firm announced in recent months. That earlier purchase added a fully automated small-format bottling facility capable of end-to-end production of 500ml, 750ml, and 1-litre bottled water. Industry projections estimate the new small-format plant can support $75 million worth of 500ml bottled water output per month, cementing BOLD’s status as a fast-rising competitor in Jamaica’s manufacturing and consumer goods sectors.

    Taken together, the two acquisitions have allowed BOLD to transition to a fully vertically integrated manufacturing structure, cutting direct production costs significantly while boosting operational efficiency, production scalability, and end-to-end product quality control.

    Adrian Smith, Kintyre’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer who also serves as head of BOLD Manufacturing & Distribution, highlighted that the subsidiary has already begun generating revenue from the new assets, with products already on retail shelves across Jamaican markets. “We remain extremely bullish on expanding our manufacturing capabilities and delivering high-quality products to consumers while building a scalable and sustainable operation,” Smith said. “These acquisitions position us to lower operating costs, strengthen our supply chain and accelerate our long-term growth strategy.”

    Smith emphasized that Kintyre’s core strategy centers on building tangible, income-generating assets that deliver sustained value for shareholders while expanding domestic manufacturing capacity across Jamaica. Donovan White, a director on Kintyre Holdings’ board, said the leadership team has already met all performance targets laid out for BOLD Manufacturing last year, earning full board confidence.

    “The Board of Kintyre Holdings is very satisfied with the direction the company is headed in, and BOLD Manufacturing is meeting the targets that were presented to the board of directors last year,” White noted. “We continue to support and advise the leadership team of Kintyre as the company builds out a diversified investment holding company with strong growth potential.”

    Kintyre officials confirmed the firm is in the final stages of rolling out its expanded manufacturing operations, and remains optimistic that divisional revenue will continue to strengthen in coming quarters. The latest round of acquisitions aligns with the holding company’s long-term vision of building a diversified portfolio of high-performing businesses across manufacturing, consumer goods, and industrial sectors across the Caribbean.

  • ‘Rescue the JUTC’Phillips says State-run bus company in “most pathetic state” as losses mount

    ‘Rescue the JUTC’Phillips says State-run bus company in “most pathetic state” as losses mount

    Jamaica’s main opposition party has launched a scathing attack on the current administration, accusing it of allowing the nation’s flagship public transit provider, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), to fall into the worst crisis in its institutional history.

    Speaking during the ongoing sectoral debate in Jamaica’s House of Representatives, opposition transport spokesperson Mikael Phillips drew a stark medical metaphor to describe the state-owned bus operator’s decline, saying the JUTC has spent a full decade lingering in the “accident and emergency department” amid ballooning financial losses and sustained government policy neglect. He called the current situation the “most pathetic state” the agency has faced since its founding.

    Phillips pushed back against government claims of progress, pointing out that successive ruling party budgets have poured billions of dollars in public subsidies into the JUTC and greenlit the purchase of hundreds of new transit vehicles—yet the agency continues to drift deeper into systemic financial and operational failure. He derided the government’s half-hearted interventions, comparing them to “calling on a carpenter to examine a critical patient, when what is truly required is oxygen and a skilled physician to diagnose the ailment and prescribe the cure.”

    The opposition spokesperson laid out grim financial figures to back his criticism, noting that cumulative losses for the JUTC have topped $100 billion over the past 10 years. This fiscal year alone, the agency is projected to post a staggering $14.8 billion deficit, and remains operational only through an emergency $11 billion government grant that keeps it afloat month to month.

    Even with major capital investments in the fleet, Phillips argued, core performance metrics for the JUTC have failed to improve. He raised pointed questions about the agency’s soaring maintenance and fuel costs, particularly perplexing given that a large share of the updated fleet now runs on lower-cost compressed natural gas or electric power.

    Beyond financial mismanagement, Phillips also criticized the current administration’s decision to expand JUTC routes into rural parts of the island. That expansion, he argued, has sparked unnecessary and escalating friction between the state-owned transit giant and smaller private transport providers that already serve those communities.

    At its core, Phillips argued, the JUTC’s deepening crisis is a symptom of a larger failing: the complete absence of a coherent, long-term national public transportation policy from the current government. He issued a clear warning that continued delays to comprehensive structural reform will only further erode public transit access and reliability across the entire island of Jamaica.

  • Lifting Cuba blockade ‘simpler’ way to help than aid, says president

    Lifting Cuba blockade ‘simpler’ way to help than aid, says president

    HAVANA, Cuba – In a pointed rebuke of Washington’s latest policy toward the Caribbean island, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel publicly called on the United States Thursday to abandon its decades-long economic blockade of Cuba, arguing that lifting the restrictive trade measures would address the country’s deepening hardship far more effectively than the conditional aid package recently proposed by US authorities.

  • LET’S SAVE IT!

    LET’S SAVE IT!

    For decades, fans and cricket stakeholders across the Caribbean have voiced growing anxiety over the steady decline of West Indies cricket, a once-dominant force in the global sport that now faces cascading on-field and off-field challenges. Now, former St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who led the island nation for 24 years until his election defeat in November 2024, is stepping forward to demand urgent systemic change, arguing that regional governments must claim a formal seat at the decision-making table to reverse the sport’s downward trajectory.

    The urgency around reform has spiked sharply over the past 12 months, after West Indies suffered a humiliating Test series defeat to Australia last summer, capped by a shocking 27 all out at Kingston’s Sabina Park – one of the lowest batting totals in the team’s long international history. Current International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings underscore the depth of the on-field crisis: the men’s senior team sits in the bottom half of all ICC global rankings, holding 8th place in Tests, 10th in One-Day Internationals, and 7th in the Twenty20 format.

    Off the pitch, the sport’s regional governing body, Cricket West Indies (CWI), is facing severe financial strain, with the organization projecting a $26 million USD loss for the current year, though it forecasts a return to profitability by 2027. Gonsalves argues that these overlapping crises cannot be resolved by CWI’s current private governance model alone, and that regional governments must be granted formal decision-making authority if they are expected to inject much-needed public funding into the sport.

    Speaking in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Gonsalves noted: “The governments have to get involved but the governments [are] not going to get involved seriously if Cricket West Indies continues to think that government will pour money into Cricket West Indies without them having a say.” Currently, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) maintains a cricket subcommittee – once chaired by Gonsalves himself – but the regional bloc holds no formal governing power within CWI. ICC rules also ban official government interference in the internal administration of its member organizations, a regulation Gonsalves says is outdated and ill-suited to the Caribbean context.

    Drawing a comparison to South Asia, Gonsalves pointed out that the Indian Supreme Court has already ruled that top-tier cricket is a public good that cannot be managed exclusively by private entities. “I’m sure if it comes to our courts that they will rule similarly because it makes perfect sense,” he said. “The law is right reason and right reason indicates that you can’t have a public good, of this type being run by a private entity and certainly you can’t expect the parliaments to vote money to put it inside of the organisation, Cricket West Indies, where they seek to conflate Cricket West Indies with cricket in the West Indies. I’ve thought long and hard about this thing and, I dare anybody to tell me that my conclusions are not correct.”

    Gonsalves’ proposed path forward calls for regional leaders to collectively present a formal diplomatic demarche to the ICC, outlining the severity of the current crisis and requesting approval for expanded government involvement to restructure and reform CWI. “If this matter is discussed within the context of the region and governments decide this is way we’re going to do it and we want to play a part in the management of it and to restructure it, we have to make a demarche to the ICC and say this thing cannot continue like this, because if it continues like this, it would fold,” he explained. “So I don’t think it’s a question of trust. It’s whether we as governments in the region decide whether we’re going to be involved in this matter. And in order to comply with the perspectives of the ICC, where are the tolerable limits for the state’s involvement because we are in a crisis.”

    West Indies cricket is set to return to the international spotlight next month, when the team will host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is at Sabina Park, against a backdrop of growing calls for sweeping systemic change to secure the sport’s future in the Caribbean.

  • Residents of Draxhall Country Club frustrated with board over ‘poor governance’

    Residents of Draxhall Country Club frustrated with board over ‘poor governance’

    A simmering conflict over mismanagement and lack of transparency has erupted into open crisis at the exclusive Drax Hall Country Club gated community in Jamaica’s St Ann parish, where disgruntled homeowners say years of flawed governance have created a toxic living environment that has pushed multiple residents to sell their properties and prompted one homeowner to file a major lawsuit seeking accountability.

    For successive boards of the community’s Homeowners Association (HOA), dysfunction has been the norm, according to Dr. Tanika O’Connor Dennie, a homeowner and former 2021 HOA board member who has been a leading voice for reform. She told Jamaica’s Observer Online that the pattern of exclusion and opaque decision-making stretches back to her tenure on the board, when the newly selected chair unilaterally cut off all other board members from shared official email accounts, blocking access to financial records and core community updates. A small clique of five board members held informal pre-meetings to pre-determine outcomes on key votes and decisions, shutting out the two members pushing for open communication and full transparency, she explained.

    That culture of closed-door governance has carried over to the current board chaired by Andrew Sewell, O’Connor Dennie alleges, with financial records restricted to a tiny circle of insiders. Critics who demand accountability and transparency are targeted with personal attacks rather than professional responses, she claims, while board members improperly use official community resources for personal gain and conduct association business via private email accounts to avoid public scrutiny.

    The HOA’s election process is also rigged to entrench the current clique in power, according to O’Connor Dennie. Board members rely on a proxy voting system that allows them to canvass disengaged homeowners who do not participate in the community’s WhatsApp group and are unaware of ongoing disputes or governance issues. In many cases, insiders effectively select their own candidates by securing blank proxy votes from uninformed residents, she says, ensuring they retain control of the board year after year.

    Beyond the procedural dysfunction, homeowners say the HOA’s mismanagement has left critical long-standing infrastructure issues unresolved, putting the community’s reputation and property values at risk. A key perimeter wall was damaged years ago, O’Connor Dennie notes, and despite repeated resident requests, no repairs have been completed. Unnecessary spending has also drained community funds that could have been allocated to critical repairs, while qualified board members who could drive progress have been pushed out over personality conflicts.

    Another resident, Sandra Williams, pointed to a recent 35 percent jump in monthly maintenance fees over a short period that has left homeowners paying far more with no visible improvements to community services. Maintenance fees have risen from $8,500 to $13,000 Jamaican dollars in recent increments, Williams says, but residents have no way to track how their money is being spent. She questioned a $420,000 monthly landscaping contract, noting that most on-site work is completed by the community’s own employees, with only a single external worker performing basic lawn mowing. Residents who ask for details about spending are harassed and gaslit on community chat groups, she says, while long-overdue repairs to the community’s main access road remain unfinished.

    Williams added that widespread frustration has already driven residents away, with some selling properties at below-market rates just to escape the toxic environment created by ongoing governance conflicts. Many absentee homeowners choose only to rent out their properties rather than engage with the HOA, she says, after growing tired of fighting for reform that never comes. Repeated formal complaints and letters to the HOA board have yielded no changes, leaving most residents feeling powerless to address the issues.

    Misha Powell, an attorney and Drax Hall homeowner who practices in the United States, has taken matters into her own hands, filing a 2025 lawsuit against Draxhall Country Club Limited and multiple current and former HOA directors over ongoing breaches of governance rules. The lawsuit is currently working its way through the Jamaican court system, and Powell says her goal is to force HOA leaders to adhere to legal and procedural rules, and to make clear that unaccountable governance can result in personal financial penalties for directors.

    Powell echoed other residents’ claims of critical unresolved infrastructure issues, including the collapsed perimeter wall. She alleges that the board was warned of structural weaknesses in the wall years before Hurricane Melissa brought it down, and has since refused to commission a structural engineer to assess and repair the damage, leaving that section of the community perimeter compromised. She also pointed to a raw sewage issue that she flagged for the board more than four years ago, when she was still a director. At the time, the board reached out to the community developer, Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and other experts to develop a repair plan, but when the next board took over, the issue was abandoned entirely and no work has been completed to date.

    Powell is now calling on Jamaican policymakers to introduce comprehensive, national legislation to regulate gated communities and strengthen oversight to protect homeowners, particularly as more Jamaicans living overseas plan to return to the country for permanent retirement and residency.

    As of press time, Observer Online reports that multiple attempts to reach HOA chair Andrew Sewell via phone and text for comment on the allegations have gone unanswered.

  • Konshens ushers in summer vibes with Pool Party 2.0

    Konshens ushers in summer vibes with Pool Party 2.0

    As warm summer days approach, iconic Jamaican dancehall artist Konshens has launched his highly anticipated new 12-track project, *Pool Party 2.0*, that puts unfiltered fun and high-energy party vibes front and center. Released globally on Friday, May 8, this album marks the follow-up to his hit first *Pool Party* compilation, a record that cemented his reputation as one of dancehall’s most successful cross-over acts with a massive global fanbase.

    While the first installment generated major industry buzz and career-changing momentum for Konshens, the artist says his core priority for this second iteration is not critical acclaim or commercial performance – it is spreading joy. “My vision for this album was all about fun and good energy,” Konshens shared in comments about the project. “I’m trying to make people think of the dancehall, especially with summer right around the corner. Good vibes, high energy – that’s literally my mode for the remainder of my career, because I think there isn’t enough focus on that. This 2.0 version will be different from the last Pool Party project because it’s not as serious, and no attempt was made to strike that forced balance. This one is just fun party bangers.”

    The project features a stacked roster of collaborative talent, bringing together producers and recording artists from across the Caribbean and international markets to create a cohesive sound rooted in classic Jamaican party culture, with flourishes of Caribbean, Latin, and global contemporary influences. The album’s lead focus track, *Like We*, pairs Konshens with legendary dancehall pioneer Beenie Man, offering a fresh modern reimagining of Beenie Man’s iconic 1996 hit *Old Dog*. Originally crafted by fabled dancehall producer Dave Kelly for his iconic Madhouse Records imprint, the original track featured on the genre-defining Stink rhythm. Remarkably, *Like We* is co-produced by Kelly himself, bridging decades of dancehall history by blending the raw, timeless energy of the 1996 original with a cutting-edge contemporary production that resonates with today’s global dancehall audience.

    For Konshens, the collaboration is more than just a catchy party track – it is a deliberate contribution to the growing nostalgia wave reshaping dancehall, designed to introduce a new generation of young listeners to the genre’s legendary roots. “I think it’s important to contribute to the nostalgia wave in dancehall right now,” he explained. “I realise there’s an effort to get kids nowadays to see and hear for the first time what made these sounds and moods from back in the day so fire and not corny like they’ve been programmed to believe. I’m excited to see what this realisation will do to their creativity in the next few years.” He added that the track was actually recorded years ago and shelved, as he never expected Kelly would approve the sample clearance. To his surprise, the legendary producer praised the track as “tough” and gave it his full blessing to be released.

    Production on the full album is led primarily by IZYBEATS and SUBMACHINE ENT, who anchor the project’s overall sonic direction, with additional production contributions from Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly, Jonny Blaze, Stadic, King Kosa, and Symon Dice. Alongside Beenie Man, featured artists include UK-based dancehall favorite Stylo G, Chudney J, and Ayetian. Standout tracks beyond the lead single include *Perfect Timing* produced by King Kosa and Jonny Blaze, *Rum Club* produced by Jonny Blaze and Stadic, and *South Side* produced by Symon Dice. The project also includes a notable lead guitar performance from Xeryus Gittens on *She Jus Wah Wine*, with publishing administered through Songs of Universal (BMI).

  • Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup

    Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup

    PARIS, France – Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, French national team head coach Didier Deschamps has officially announced his 26-man roster for the tournament, with superstar forward Kylian Mbappe set to lead the side in what will be Deschamps’ final major competition in charge.

    The 2018 World Cup-winning coach, who will step down from his post following this summer’s tournament, delivered a largely predictable squad list when speaking to reporters Thursday, with few unexpected calls or omissions that shook up pre-tournament speculation.

    Despite sustaining a thigh injury last month that forced him to sit out several critical closing matches of Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign, 27-year-old Mbappe has secured his place in the squad and is widely expected to wear the captain’s armband for Les Bleus. He will anchor a star-studded attacking unit that also includes reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain’s exciting young prospect Desire Doue, and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

    One of the most notable first-time call-ups goes to 22-year-old playmaker Rayan Cherki, who capped a standout debut season with English Premier League side Manchester City by earning his spot in the World Cup roster. On the defensive end, Arsenal’s William Saliba, another French talent plying his trade in the Premier League, has been tapped to bring physical stability and organizational leadership to the backline.

    Only four players from Deschamps’ 2018 World Cup-winning squad in Russia will return for this edition: full-back Lucas Hernandez, defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante, Mbappe, and Dembele. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser stands as the only uncapped player included in the final selection, a surprise rise for the young shot-stopper who has impressed domestically this season.

    Deschamps emphasized in an interview with French broadcaster TF1 that roster construction prioritized collective fit over individual talent, saying: “It’s a squad. Not necessarily the 26 best players. It’s about balance and how the team comes together.”

    A handful of high-profile players missed out on selection, most notably Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Chevalier moved to the Parc des Princes in a high-profile summer transfer from Lille last year, but has failed to unseat the starter and now sits as second-choice at the club. Deschamps acknowledged Camavinga’s likely disappointment, noting the midfielder struggled through an injury-plagued season with limited playing time at his club. “I’ve got decisions to make and a squad to put together,” he added.

    Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was also not considered for selection, after a season-ending Achilles injury ruled him out in April. For Deschamps, this announcement marks the seventh and final major tournament squad he will select as France’s head coach, ending a 14-year tenure in charge of the national side. Addressing speculation about his post-tournament plans, he downplayed concerns: “It’s been part of my life for 14 years running. But if people are worried, I’m not retiring [from public life]. I’ll have a life of my own. The World Cup is the most important thing right now.”

    France will kick off their Group I campaign on June 16 against Senegal, before subsequent group stage matches against Iraq and Norway as they aim to lift their third World Cup title in 18 years.

    ### Full 2026 France World Cup Squad
    **Goalkeepers**: Mike Maignan (AC Milan, Italy), Robin Risser (Lens, France), Brice Samba (Rennes, France)
    **Defenders**: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa, England), Malo Gusto (Chelsea, England), Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool, England), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace, England), Jules Kounde (Barcelona, Spain), William Saliba (Arsenal, England), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, Germany)
    **Midfielders**: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Manu Kone (Roma, Italy), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan, Italy), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid, Spain), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
    **Forwards**: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco, France), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, England), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, Germany), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, Spain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace, England), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan, Italy)

  • Fusion Multicultural Cuisine

    Fusion Multicultural Cuisine

    Nestled at 10 Dominica Drive in New Kingston, Jamaica, Fusion Multicultural Cuisine sets the tone for an elevated dining experience the moment guests arrive. A uniformed concierge greets visitors at the door, communicating arrival details through an earpiece and radio — a small, polished touch that immediately signals the exclusive, atmospheric vibe that awaits behind the restaurant’s ornate entrance. The dim, moody interior, complete with soft backlighting at the bar, plush green velvet seating, and understated global EDM playing in the background, successfully transports diners out of central Kingston and into a cozy, luxe escape perfect for social gatherings and memorable food outings.

    Two judges from the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, Adolph Raynor and Annaliesa Lindsay, recently visited the restaurant to sample its eclectic menu that draws culinary inspiration from across the globe. Their tasting journey began with three appetizer and small-plate offerings: Nairobi Wings drawing from Kenyan flavors, traditional-inspired Japanese Chicken Ramen, and Glazed Korean Pork Belly. Portion sizes were carefully calibrated to leave room for a full multi-course meal, with the ramen even crafted into a perfectly portioned “chibi” size ideal for tasting.

    Moving to the main course, the judging trio sampled an array of dishes: Coconut Curry Snapper served with steamed bammy, creamy Shrimp Mac & Cheese, and herb-rubbed Lamb Chops paired with fresh steamed vegetables. Despite leaving the group comfortably full, the party carved out space to split a rich chocolate muffin finished with a generous drizzle of velvety fudge sauce for dessert.

    To complement their meal, the group explored Fusion’s craft cocktail list, which matched the sultry mood of the dining room. They ultimately selected three standout drinks: the creative Amaretto Sour Twist, which adds a surprising layered base of red wine to the classic cocktail; the gin-based Fusion Thai Basil, infused with bright herbal notes; and a simple, elegant double shot of Tanqueray topped with sparkling water.

    Overall, the menu delivers a gentle introduction to global flavors that feels approachable for Jamaican diners accustomed to local Caribbean cuisine. The Nairobi Wings emerged as the clear standout of the meal, boasting a perfectly crispy crust coated in a tangy, spiced Nairobi sauce that offers a subtle but satisfying twist on the grilled and fried flavors local diners know well. The Glazed Korean Pork Belly ranked as the group’s second-favorite dish: fork-tender half-inch slices of pork get a light char that creates a delicious textural contrast under the sweet barbecue-style glaze, with flavors familiar enough to feel comfortable but distinct enough to feel like a small, exciting culinary trip. The Chicken Ramen, meanwhile, looked like an authentic trans-Pacific culinary experience at first glance, complete with a traditional soy-marinated soft-boiled egg that nails classic Japanese presentation. But the broth’s flavor and noodle texture were adjusted to align with local Jamaican tastes, making it a familiar yet fun twist on the international staple. Mains stuck closer to flavors recognizable to local palates, but all dishes impressed with generous portions of high-quality protein, from the flaky snapper to the hearty lamb and plump shrimp in the mac and cheese.

    Beyond the food and drink, the judging panel praised Fusion’s service team extensively for their warm, attentive, and knowledgeable care that elevated the entire dining experience. The venue, they noted, is perfectly suited for guests seeking luxe, Instagram-worthy moments — especially for visitors looking to capture elegant cocktail shots alongside creative, far-reaching menu options that stand out from standard local lounge bar fare.

    For diners interested in visiting Fusion Multicultural Cuisine: the restaurant is located at 10 Dominica Drive in Kingston, and can be found on Instagram @fusioncuisinejm. Opening hours run from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm from Monday through Thursday, and extend to 12:00 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Reservations and inquiries can be made via telephone or WhatsApp at (876) 464-0636. The total cost for the three-person tasting experience reviewed came to $37,697 Jamaican dollars.

  • Lady Da Flame wows Mother’s Day show at UBS Arena

    Lady Da Flame wows Mother’s Day show at UBS Arena

    Thousands of reggae fans packed New York’s UBS Arena for the highly anticipated “Mother’s Day Experience” concert, and the opening performer left an unforgettable mark long before the headlining reggae legends stepped into the spotlight. Emerging artist Lady Da Flame delivered a powerhouse opening set that transformed the building’s growing energy into an electric, communal celebration, setting the stage for a night of soulful rhythm and heartfelt music.

    As concertgoers gradually filled the venue, Lady Da Flame immediately infused the space with warmth, contagious energy, and building anticipation for the evening ahead. During her moving performance of *Goodness of God*, her rich, clear voice echoed across every corner of the arena, drawing the crowd deeper into the experience and softening the mood for the star-studded performances still to come. Audience members swayed in unison to every beat, nodded along to the smooth melodies, and grew louder in their applause with each new track she performed.

    Staying true to the Mother’s Day theme of the event, Lady Da Flame dedicated a moving number to mothers everywhere with *Mama Gave Us Life*. Her soulful delivery resonated with every person in the crowd, winning over dozens of new fans before she transitioned into a dynamic medley of classic and contemporary reggae tracks. The set included reimagined takes on Betty Wright’s *No Pain* and *Second Time* on the 2 Times Riddim, before she leaned into the lover’s rock tradition with hauntingly beautiful renditions of Phyllis Dillon, the Queen of Lover’s Rock’s iconic tracks *Perfidia* and *One Life to Live*. She closed out her opening set with an upbeat, passion-fueled version of Dillon’s *Don’t Stay Away*, pouring raw emotion into every note and cementing the unforgettable tone for the entire night.

    Concert attendees left the set remarking that Lady Da Flame did far more than just open the show – she ignited the collective spirit of the night, perfectly preparing the audience for the headline sets from reggae and soul stars Beres Hammond, Stephanie Mills, and Romain Virgo.

    Fresh off her standout performance in New York, Lady Da Flame is now back in her home country of Jamaica promoting her latest project, the *Journey* EP. According to the singer, the independent release has seen remarkable commercial success since its launch: streaming numbers are consistently high, and the record has charted multiple times across international markets, most notably in the United Kingdom.

    Produced by Rawborn Productions, the EP is led by the standout single *No One Like You (Remake)*, a collaboration with legendary reggae singer Sanchez. The track has already broken into the top ethnic reggae charts in the United States and is earning regular airplay on radio stations across the globe. Lady Da Flame spoke enthusiastically about her experience working with the iconic artist, noting that Sanchez’s extreme talent and professional demeanor made the recording process smooth and natural. “The musical chemistry just cannot be explained,” she shared of the collaboration.

    Additional tracks on the seven-track project include *All Praises To The Most High* and *More Dan Prayer*. More than just a collection of songs, the *Journey* EP reflects Lady Da Flame’s personal spiritual journey and artistic growth, crafted to uplift listeners, energize crowds, and renew spiritual connection for audiences everywhere.

    Lady Da Flame first rose to prominence in global gospel circles for her breakout hit *God Answers Prayers*, which has earned more than 8.3 million views on YouTube alone. The track remains her most successful release to date, accumulating more than one billion total streams across digital platforms. The hit has solidified her standing in the ethnic gospel space, with multiple popular gospel releases earning a loyal fanbase across diaspora communities worldwide.

  • Business giant Dennis Lalor has died

    Business giant Dennis Lalor has died

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s business community is mourning the loss of one of its most towering figures this week, after Dennis Lalor, the pioneering chartered insurer and founding visionary behind ICWI Group Limited, passed away on Wednesday night. Lalor had been in declining health for an extended period prior to his death.

    Over a career that spanned more than six decades, Lalor transformed ICWI from a small startup into one of the Caribbean’s largest full-service financial institutions, with operational footprints spanning Jamaica and dozens of regional markets across the Caribbean archipelago. His legacy extends far beyond the insurance sector, as he took on leadership and board roles across a diverse range of public and private institutions throughout his professional life.

    His board service reads like a snapshot of Jamaica’s key civic and economic institutions: among the many organizations he contributed to are the national former flag carrier Air Jamaica, Freemasons Association (Jamaica) Limited, the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, the Lister Mair/Gilby School for the Deaf, the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission, and the Jamaica Racing Commission.

    Lalor also earned widespread acclaim for his transformative contributions to both sports administration and national financial development in Jamaica. In recognition of his work across business and sports, he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Medal in 1983. Six years later, in 1989, he was inducted into Jamaica’s Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, and also received the Thoroughbred Breeders Regency Award for his decades of service to the island’s horse racing industry.

    The Jamaican government appointed Lalor to the country’s Privy Council in 1990, the same year he accepted a position on the Council of the University of the West Indies, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions. He later went on to serve as a member of the university’s Audit Committee, bringing his decades of financial expertise to support the institution’s governance.

    Between 1990 and 1992, Lalor held the presidency of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), a critical period during which the organization partnered closely with the Jamaican government to advance the country’s landmark economic liberalization agenda. His leadership during this era helped lay the groundwork for decades of economic development across the island, cementing his reputation as a leader who balanced private sector growth with public good.