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  • Leaders Montego Bay hold off Cavalier in JPL third round

    Leaders Montego Bay hold off Cavalier in JPL third round

    In a pivotal Jamaica Premier League showdown on Sunday, league leaders Montego Bay United solidified their dominance with a commanding 3-1 triumph over defending champions Cavalier SC at Jarrett Park. This victory propels Montego Bay to a formidable 61 points, establishing a six-point cushion at the summit of the league standings.

    The match, which concluded with a frenetic pace, saw Montego Bay’s Deonjay Brown initiate the scoring in the fifth minute with a precisely executed finish. The advantage was doubled shortly after halftime by Richardo Ramsey, who demonstrated remarkable composure with a delicate lob over the advancing goalkeeper. Substitute Jahmari Clarke seemingly put the result beyond doubt just two minutes later, powering through Cavalier’s defense to net a third.

    Despite a missed penalty by Malachi Sterling that denied a fourth goal, Cavalier mounted a late resurgence. Adrian Reid’s spectacular long-range effort in added time offered a glimmer of hope, but any chance of a dramatic comeback was extinguished when goalkeeper Davonnie Burton heroically saved a subsequent penalty from Christopher Ainsworth.

    In parallel fixtures, the league witnessed significant upheaval. Dunbeholden FC delivered a stunning 2-1 upset against fourth-placed Portmore United, complicating their pursuit of a higher standing. Meanwhile, Tivoli Gardens engineered a spectacular comeback from a two-goal deficit to edge Harbour View 3-2, fueled by a remarkable hat-trick from Rodico Wellington. The day’s action concluded with Chapelton Maroons and Molynes United sharing points in a 2-2 draw, courtesy of a second-half brace from Nicholas Nelson.

  • Infinity IMC triples CARIMAC awards as company celebrates 7th year

    Infinity IMC triples CARIMAC awards as company celebrates 7th year

    MARKING ITS SEVENTH anniversary with a significant philanthropic expansion, Infinity Integrated Marketing Communications and Events Limited (Infinity IMC) has elevated its commitment to academic excellence by tripling its annual awards for students at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), University of the West Indies, Mona. Previously sponsoring a single award, the company now champions three distinct scholarships targeting various communication disciplines.

    The 2025 awardees, honored at a recent university faculty ceremony, are Fallon Naomi Miller (Animation), Zantaye Annaleise Thomas (Integrated Marketing Communication), and Kelesha Williams (Communication for Social and Behaviour Change – Graduate Studies). Each recipient demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, resilience, and a shared vision to leverage communication as a catalyst for societal transformation.

    Shanoy Harris Coombs, CEO of Infinity IMC, articulated that this strategic expansion aligns with the company’s core values and anniversary celebrations. “Social impact remains at the heart of our operations. By increasing our scholarship offerings, we aim to acknowledge more exceptional talents and facilitate their entry into the media and communications landscape,” Coombs stated.

    The awardees’ journeys underscore profound dedication and personal conviction. Kelesha Williams, a journalist from Television Jamaica, credited her humble origins in rural Green Town, Trelawny, as the driving force behind her academic pursuit. “Education represented the only viable pathway to disrupt cycles of marginalization and amplify underrepresented voices,” Williams explained.

    Zantaye Annaleise Thomas, who balanced rigorous academics with leadership roles and internships, emerged as the class valedictorian for the 2025 graduating cohort. Despite moments of exhaustion, Thomas emphasized the importance of a robust support system and structured discipline. Her ambition is to redefine global narratives surrounding Caribbean excellence and strategically enhance Brand Jamaica’s international presence.

    Both scholars perceive the Infinity IMC recognition as not merely an academic accolade but a vital endorsement from the industry, affirming the significance of nurturing emerging professionals. Meanwhile, the introduction of an Animation award category signals the company’s awareness of evolving communication mediums, particularly within digital storytelling and visual engagement.

    Harris Coombs praised the awardees, noting, “These young women exemplify the future of our industry—their creativity, commitment, and discipline are truly inspiring.”

  • Racing for life: A Special Olympian’s 21-year fight with bipolar disorder

    Racing for life: A Special Olympian’s 21-year fight with bipolar disorder

    Raymone Peart’s life narrative is a stark tale of dramatic reversal, from an internationally decorated athlete to a man grappling with profound hardship. Diagnosed with an intellectual disability in his youth, Peart found purpose and glory as a member of Jamaica’s Special Olympics swimming team, traveling globally and amassing a collection of medals, including awards for Athlete of the Year.

    His trajectory shifted catastrophically at age 22 when he experienced a severe mental health crisis, resulting in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder after being admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies. For over a decade, Peart maintained stability through rigorous self-management: consistent medication, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and stress mitigation. He built a modest courier business, achieving 12 years of wellness.

    This fragile equilibrium was shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health precautions decimated his clientele, as people feared handling external items, especially food. This loss of income precipitated a downward spiral into homelessness and despair, culminating in a suicide attempt. His subsequent admission to Bellevue Hospital involved traumatic experiences of restraint and over-medication.

    Now 42, Peart resides in a dilapidated wooden house in Berkshire Hall, St. Catherine, with a damaged zinc roof leaking from hurricane damage. Unemployed and often going days without food, he cannot afford his medication or to lease land for a prospective farming venture. His survival hinges on public assistance and the support of his impoverished family, including his mother and grandmother. Despite his circumstances, Peart reflects with pride on his athletic legacy, including being the first Special Olympian to compete in regular swim meets, but his present focus is solely on regaining basic stability and health.

  • 10 tax terms every woman-led business owner should know

    10 tax terms every woman-led business owner should know

    Jamaica’s entrepreneurial landscape is powerfully shaped by women, who operate over 165,000 businesses across the nation. Yet for these multi-tasking leaders—managing operations, staff, and family—tax season often presents a formidable challenge. Sasha Lee Miller, Senior Manager at First Global Bank, emphasizes that knowledge transforms this annual burden into an opportunity for confidence and compliance.

    Understanding key tax terminology is critical for business owners. The Tax Registration Number (TRN) serves as a foundational identifier, essential for filings and transactions. The tax year—or year of assessment—dictates reporting deadlines, which vary by business structure. Miller advises meticulous bookkeeping aligned with this period.

    Two core concepts define tax filings: the final return, documenting annual earnings and expenses, and the estimated return, projecting future liabilities. For micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), transitioning to quarterly installments requires disciplined financial planning. Self-assessment places responsibility on the taxpayer to calculate and pay accurately, underscoring the necessity of organized records.

    Allowable expenses—such as rent, utilities, and marketing—reduce taxable profit when properly documented. Capital allowances further enable businesses to depreciate major assets over time. Withholding tax obligations arise when engaging contractors, necessitating early consultation with accountants.

    General Consumption Tax (GCT) requires registered businesses to collect and remit government taxes, distinguishing between output and input taxes. For employers, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) encompasses employee income deductions, alongside National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and National Housing Trust (NHT) contributions. Cash flow constraints often make payroll compliance particularly challenging.

    The Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) emerges as a vital credential, affirming good standing and unlocking opportunities for loans, government contracts, and corporate partnerships. Ultimately, tax literacy empowers female entrepreneurs to transition from informal operations to structured growth, avoiding penalties while securing financial advantages.

  • Nesbeth takes on ‘Back Stabbers’ on new single

    Nesbeth takes on ‘Back Stabbers’ on new single

    Five decades after The O’Jays’ classic “Back Stabbers” topped charts with its warnings about romantic betrayal, Jamaican reggae artist Nesbeth has resurrected the theme with profound personal resonance in his newly released single “Back Stabber.

    The emerging artist, born years after the 1972 R&B hit, transforms the concept of betrayal into a contemporary musical commentary on false friendships and personal evolution. In an exclusive interview with Observer Online, Nesbeth revealed the track’s organic origins: “This composition didn’t emerge from a singular incident but from accumulated lived experiences. Recognizing this as a universal human experience, I channeled these emotions into artistic expression.”

    Produced through his independent label Treble Fitz Productions, the recording embodies raw emotional authenticity. Nesbeth describes the creative process as therapeutic release rather than mere performance: “I wasn’t simply recording vocals—I was exorcizing demons. That visceral energy cannot be manufactured.”

    The track represents a developmental milestone in the artist’s career, demonstrating heightened artistic consciousness and deliberate approach to both musical craftsmanship and interpersonal dynamics. While drawing from personal encounters with treachery, Nesbeth maintains diplomatic ambiguity regarding specific subjects: “No identities revealed—if the description applies, individuals will self-identify. This narrative transcends specific individuals toward universal truth.”

    The artist, previously celebrated for hits including “Drive By,” “My Dream,” and “Success Story,” emphasizes forward-moving resolution: “I extend forgiveness but navigate relationships with renewed discernment. While peace remains paramount, understanding who merits access to your energy proves equally crucial.”

  • BPO guru touts intelligence-based outsourcing

    BPO guru touts intelligence-based outsourcing

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Jamaica’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is strategically positioning itself at the intersection of human expertise and artificial intelligence to drive future growth and global competitiveness. According to Gloria Henry, Vice-President for BPO and Logistics at the Port Authority of Jamaica, the industry is transitioning toward “intelligence-based outsourcing” that synergizes technological capabilities with human talent.

    Speaking at the Montego Bay Free Zone Employment Creation Awards ceremony, Henry emphasized that AI should be viewed as an enhancer rather than a replacement for human workers. “AI by itself cannot deliver the results. Humans provide the direction, support, and data guidance necessary to achieve desired outcomes,” she stated, addressing concerns about automation displacing jobs.

    The integration of AI, Henry explained, enables workers to significantly boost productivity and efficiency. “They can work faster and produce more with the kind of support that AI can offer,” she noted, highlighting the transformative potential of human-machine collaboration in contact centers and BPO operations.

    Critical to this evolution is a national commitment to upskilling and training initiatives. Henry pointed to collaborative efforts with educational institutions like HEART/NSTA Trust through the Ministry of Education and Youth, though she acknowledged that deeper investment in training programs is still needed. Recent budgetary allocations signal governmental support for the sector’s continued expansion.

    Henry urged stakeholders to adopt a forward-looking perspective: “We shouldn’t be daunted by the integration of AI. We should embrace it to make our industry more productive, resilient, and globally competitive.”

    The awards ceremony celebrated companies driving employment growth within the free zone, with Unique Vacations receiving top honors for its exceptional performance during challenging periods. Company representative Leezo Wallace highlighted their achievement of maintaining the sector’s lowest retention rate (under 3%) while continuing hiring even during hurricane disruptions.

    The event also recognized the growing influence of women in BPO leadership, with Henry paying tribute to veteran leader Valarie Ives’ 41 years of service while noting the significant increase in female leadership since the 1990s.

  • Marriott girls celebrate with dad at bill payment, courier service launch in West Kingston

    Marriott girls celebrate with dad at bill payment, courier service launch in West Kingston

    In a heartwarming downtown Kingston ceremony, entrepreneur Ackeem Marriott officially inaugurated Marriott Couriers, his new venture into courier and financial services. The Saturday launch was attended by his two young daughters, Ayzia-Alaia (10) and Amira-Ali (6), who proudly wore branded t-shirts and shared celebratory embraces with their father.

    Marriott’s strategic decision to establish his business at 45 Spanish Town Road in West Kingston—near areas like Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens—defies conventional business wisdom. When questioned about his location choice, Marriott responds with a compelling counter-question: “Why not here?” He emphasizes that these essential services are critically underserved in the community despite daily demand. “When we introduced this concept, the community demonstrated 100 percent support. This addresses a long-standing need,” Marriott explained to Observer Online.

    The entrepreneur highlighted how his service eliminates the necessity for residents to travel to downtown Kingston, Cross Roads, or Three Miles for courier and bill payment services. “Now these conveniences are immediately accessible. The perception of violence has historically diverted business development from this area, but genuine opportunity exists here,” he asserted.

    Marriott’s entrepreneurial journey began during his high school years where he engaged in various small-scale commercial activities. “Entrepreneurship runs deeply in my family, both formally and informally. Growing up in that environment embedded business acumen within me—I marketed products at school and continually explored new ventures,” he recounted.

    Marriott Couriers offers comprehensive services including MoneyGram transfers, diverse financial solutions, and bill payment facilities. The company also enables online ordering with direct shipping to Jamaican addresses. “We aim to provide West Kingston with an extensive service portfolio and continue expanding our offerings,” Marriott stated.

    Reflecting on personal motivations, Marriott identified his daughters as his primary inspiration. “This achievement represents another realized dream. I aspire to demonstrate work ethics, perseverance, and the dedication required to attain success. If you nurture dreams from youth, you can actualize them through determination and hard work. This venture constitutes a significant milestone,” he concluded.

  • ‘Don’t know how I am going to stretch that’

    ‘Don’t know how I am going to stretch that’

    GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Heatha Miller-Bennett, has publicly addressed the significant challenges of managing competing community needs within her constituency’s limited financial framework. With a fixed annual allocation of $20 million from Jamaica’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the first-term MP explicitly acknowledged the impossibility of simultaneously addressing all local demands during a recent consultation meeting at Green Island High School.

    Miller-Bennett candidly described her role as an ‘uphill task,’ directly engaging with residents who highlighted critical issues including deteriorating road conditions, inconsistent water supply, inadequate street lighting, and inefficient garbage collection services. While assuring constituents that their concerns had been formally documented, she emphasized the necessity of strategic prioritization and sought public understanding regarding the phased implementation of projects.

    The parliamentary representative revealed plans to pursue collaborative partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to maximize the fund’s impact. ‘I will seek partnership to make it stretch in areas where we can,’ Miller-Bennett stated, indicating a proactive approach to resource optimization beyond the CDF’s baseline allocation.

    Orlando Grant, Project Officer for the CDF, provided technical insights into the fund’s operational mechanisms during the same meeting. He clarified that while financial caps exist, the fund regularly coordinates with ‘contributing arms’ like the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) to enhance project funding efficiency. Grant additionally disclosed that central government periodically supplements constituencies through special grants to address budgetary shortfalls, though this practice remains largely unpublicized.

    Established during the 2008/2009 financial year, Jamaica’s CDF system serves as an emergency mechanism for financing small-scale community projects that frequently experience delays within broader governmental bureaucracy. All 63 parliamentary representatives receive identical $20 million annual allocations for local infrastructural and social initiatives, with an additional $2 million specifically designated for vulnerable population support. All funds are administered through official agencies rather than direct MP control.

  • God ‘does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war’, says pope

    God ‘does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war’, says pope

    VATICAN CITY — In a powerful Palm Sunday homily at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a profound theological condemnation of warfare, declaring that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.” The pontiff’s remarks came amid ongoing multi-front conflicts across the Middle East that have dominated global attention.

    The first American pope characterized the divine nature as fundamentally opposed to armed conflict, stating, “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.” His message emphasized the incompatibility between religious devotion and military aggression.

    Following the traditional Angelus prayer, Pope Leo specifically acknowledged the plight of Middle Eastern Christians, noting they “suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days.” This recognition highlighted the particular challenges facing religious communities in conflict zones during Holy Week observances.

    The 70-year-old pontiff’s address built upon his earlier calls this week for an immediate ceasefire in the region, where he noted “more than a million people had been forced to flee their homes.” He has consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions, urging warring parties to engage in peaceful negotiations.

    Since the initiation of US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 that escalated regional tensions, Pope Leo has maintained a carefully measured diplomatic approach. While repeatedly condemning violence broadly, he has refrained from specifically naming any particular nation or party in his appeals for peace, demonstrating the Vatican’s cautious navigation of complex international geopolitics.

  • Harbour City Mall changing real estate landscape

    Harbour City Mall changing real estate landscape

    Montego Bay’s commercial landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, spearheaded by the innovative approaches implemented at Harbour City Mall just two years after its inauguration. This waterfront development is redefining property utilization through substantial investments in renewable energy and dual-purpose urban design.

    The mall’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its massive solar installation, recognized as the largest at any commercial center in St. James. The system comprises 2,000 panels delivering 1.3MW hours of power, supplemented by an additional 200-panel setup. According to CEO Shifu Huang, this significant investment in renewable energy reflects the long-term strategic vision behind Harbour City’s development and operational philosophy.

    Beyond its environmental initiatives, the property showcases innovative spatial design with its one-acre plaza that serves contrasting functions throughout the day. While accommodating heavy pedestrian traffic between retail establishments during daylight hours, the space undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis into an open-air entertainment venue after sunset. From 7:00 pm to midnight, the plaza hosts ‘Sunday Souls’ events featuring rotating popular DJs delivering soul-stirring music performances.

    The transformation addresses a significant gap in Montego Bay’s entertainment ecosystem, as major nighttime events have traditionally been absent from the city’s large shopping centers. Huang emphasized that the plaza was specifically designed with this dual functionality in mind, incorporating appropriate infrastructure and permits from the initial construction phase. The venue has previously accommodated Reggae Sumfest events, demonstrating its capacity for large-scale productions while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

    The development’s practical considerations include nearly 400 parking spaces—220 on a two-story rooftop facility and an additional 150 adjacent spaces—addressing one of the most frequent complaints about nightlife accessibility in Montego Bay.

    This innovative approach to commercial space utilization aligns with broader governmental initiatives. Culture Minister Olivia Grange recently indicated plans to designate specific entertainment zones across Jamaica, emphasizing the government’s intention to leverage existing infrastructure to enhance the profitability of the entertainment industry.

    Harbour City’s location within Montego Bay’s waterfront transformation corridor—stretching from Freeport to the Hip Strip—positions it as a key contributor to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s vision of creating a ‘seamless, world-class leisure, entertainment, and shopping corridor’ along this breathtaking Caribbean coastline.

    As Huang concluded, ‘Harbour City is a commercial property, but the ambition behind it goes further than that. Commerce, culture, and community all have a place here,’ signaling a holistic approach to urban development that merges economic, environmental, and social considerations.