The much-anticipated Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival (GJJF) makes its grand return to South Florida on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Miramar Regional Park. This year’s event not only promises a vibrant showcase of Caribbean culture, delectable cuisine, and pulsating reggae and soca music but also serves as a rallying point for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica. The festival has partnered with Connex Air Cargo and SSMC Xpress International Couriers to collect and deliver urgently needed supplies to communities devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica two weeks ago. Attendees are encouraged to contribute by donating essential items at the festival or through designated collection points. The first shipment of relief supplies is set to depart Miami in the coming days, carrying food, water, clothing, and hygiene essentials directly to Kingston. On the entertainment front, the festival will feature electrifying performances by reggae legend Romain Virgo, dancehall icon Mr Vegas, and soca sensation Destra Garcia, alongside The Wailers, who will perform timeless Bob Marley classics. Culinary enthusiasts can look forward to interactive cooking demos, celebrity chef appearances, and innovative Caribbean dishes. Festival organizers emphasize the importance of community support, urging South Florida residents to stand with Jamaica during this challenging time. Eddy Edwards, president and CEO of Jerk Festivals USA, highlighted the festival’s dual purpose: celebrating Caribbean heritage while aiding recovery efforts. Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair echoed this sentiment, calling for solidarity and generosity. Connex Air Cargo’s chairman, Luke Hamilton, and SSMC Xpress International’s Florida operations manager, Christopher Morris, reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating timely and secure delivery of donations. As the largest Caribbean food festival in the U.S., GJJF continues to unite people through culture, cuisine, and compassion.
标签： Jamaica
牙买加
-
McKenzie orders immediate clean-up of hurricane debris in Falmouth
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the historic town of Falmouth in Trelawny, Jamaica, is grappling with extensive debris and blocked drains, prompting urgent intervention from the government. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, has mandated an immediate cleanup operation to restore normalcy to the storm-ravaged area.
-
Sonequa Martin-Green for Greta Constantine
In a grand celebration of female excellence, Glamour magazine has announced its 2025 Global Women of the Year, recognizing luminaries across various fields. Demi Moore and Tyla were crowned as the Global Women of the Year, while Rachel Zegler took home the title of US and UK Woman of the Year. Additionally, Ms Rachel, Pat McGrath, and five standout athletes from the WNBA — Lexie Hull, Napheesa Collier, Jonquel Jones, Nyara Sabally, and Satou Sabally — were honored as US Women of the Year. The festivities kicked off with a glamorous soirée in the UK on October 31, followed by a star-studded event at New York’s Plaza Hotel on November 4. Among the highlights was British make-up icon Pat McGrath, who delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, crediting her Jamaican mother, Jean, for instilling in her the values of beauty, identity, and self-expression. ‘From a dream-filled kid in North Hampton to standing here tonight, it’s been an incredible journey,’ McGrath reflected. The event also featured appearances by fashion icons Jennifer Behr and Olivia Palermo, as well as designer Kirk Pickersgill of Greta Constantine. McGrath shared a first glimpse of her award with her Instagram followers, marking yet another milestone in her illustrious career.
-
Salt-N-Pepa, Outkast, Thom Bell and others inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In a star-studded ceremony held on November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, hip-hop pioneers Salt-N-Pepa and Outkast were officially enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The event celebrated their monumental contributions to music and their enduring influence on the industry. Salt-N-Pepa, the groundbreaking New York hip-hop trio featuring Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton, received the Musical Influence Award for their iconic tracks such as ‘Let’s Talk About Sex,’ ‘Push It,’ and ‘Shoop.’ These songs, which championed women’s empowerment and playful sexuality in a male-dominated genre, have left an indelible mark on hip-hop culture. Missy Elliott, a Grammy-winning artist, paid tribute to the trio, stating, ‘These three women are the bricklayers to the foundation that holds hip-hop together. They gave us their shoulders to stand on.’ Outkast, the Atlanta rap duo known for chart-topping hits like ‘Hey Ya,’ ‘Ms Jackson,’ and ‘The Way You Move,’ was honored with a heartfelt tribute from actor Donald Glover. Glover, who grew up listening to Outkast, expressed his gratitude, saying, ‘Atlanta is not the music Mecca it has become without you. There is no Childish Gambino without you. There is no South without you.’ The ceremony also celebrated other legendary inductees, including Thom Bell, a key figure in the ‘Sound of Philadelphia’ soul movement, Cyndi Lauper, the White Stripes, and Soundgarden. Lauper, known for her vibrant punk style and hits like ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,’ was praised for her unapologetic artistry and four-octave vocal range. The White Stripes, represented by their electrifying rock anthems such as ‘Seven Nation Army,’ were lauded by Iggy Pop, who described their music as ‘coming from a foundation of love, not revolution.’ The event underscored the profound impact these artists have had on shaping the musical landscape and inspiring future generations.
-
‘I am here to help’
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Global sprint icon Usain Bolt extended a heartfelt message of solidarity and support to his fellow Jamaicans on Sunday, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which wreaked havoc across western Jamaica. In a poignant video shared on X, Bolt expressed his deep sorrow and commitment to aiding recovery efforts. The legendary athlete, who recently returned to the island, witnessed firsthand the extensive damage caused by the Category 5 hurricane. Originating from Trelawny, one of the hardest-hit parishes, Bolt spent the day distributing essential care packages at his alma mater, William Knibb High School, which also suffered significant damage. Reflecting on the scenes of devastation, Bolt shared, “On the way up…at the riverside, you see a lot of people washing. It’s hard to put into words how I feel about what I am seeing, but Jamaica, I am here to help in any way possible.” In a powerful caption accompanying his video, Bolt reaffirmed his dedication to his homeland, stating, “J A M A I C A, You all gave me the chance to represent you on the world stage — to wear our colours with pride, show the world the strength, resilience, and the heart of our people. Everything I’ve achieved started right here at home. Now, as so many of our children, brothers and sisters face the hardships caused by Hurricane Melissa, please know — We are right here with YOU. We are STANDING together, REBUILDING together, and reminding the world that JAMAICANS never leave each other behind.”
-
Lenny Wilkens, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach, dies
LOS ANGELES, United States — The basketball world mourns the loss of Lenny Wilkens, a revered figure in the NBA, who passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by his family on Sunday. Wilkens, celebrated as both a Hall of Fame player and coach, left an indelible mark on the sport through his remarkable career and contributions.
-
Jamaica’s Under-20 Reggae Boyz drawn in manageable group — Ricketts
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has been placed in Group B for the CONCACAF U20 Championship Qualifiers, alongside Puerto Rico, Bonaire, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to navigate the group, describing it as ‘manageable.’
Ricketts emphasized the importance of preparation and execution, stating, ‘No group is ever easy because it all depends on how prepared you are, how organized you are, and ultimately how you perform on match day. But this group looks manageable, and I am hopeful that we will be ready.’
He also highlighted the broader challenges facing Jamaican football, with multiple competitions underway, including the Senior Men’s World Cup, U-17, U-20, and Women’s Senior tournaments. Despite the demanding schedule, Ricketts affirmed the federation’s commitment to excelling in all qualifying competitions.
The first round of qualifiers is scheduled to run from February 23 to March 4, 2026. The group winners will advance to the Championship final round, joining seeded teams such as the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Cuba, and Guatemala. The final round, set for July 2 to August 9, 2026, will determine qualifiers for both the 2027 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
Jamaica is widely expected to progress from Group B after the round-robin stage. The qualifying matches will be hosted across venues in Costa Rica, Curaçao, and Nicaragua, adding an international dimension to the competition.
-
UK’s King Charles honours nation’s war dead
LONDON, United Kingdom — In a poignant display of national unity, Britain’s King Charles III presided over the annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations, honoring the nation’s war dead. The 76-year-old monarch, currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph memorial in central London. The ceremony commenced with the traditional two-minute silence observed at 11:00 am (1100 GMT).
Accompanied by senior members of the royal family, including his son Prince William and daughter-in-law Catherine, the Princess of Wales, the event was marked by solemnity and reverence. Queen Camilla and Catherine, who is in remission following her own cancer diagnosis, observed the proceedings from the balcony of the Foreign Office, overlooking the memorial.
The Whitehall area of the capital was thronged with crowds as political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside current and former members of the armed forces and war veterans, paid their respects. The ceremony honored British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts. Approximately 10,000 armed forces veterans participated in a march-past, including around 20 who served in World War II. Among them was 101-year-old Sid Machin, one of the last surviving veterans of the Burma (now Myanmar) campaign, who served in a special forces unit.
Prince William also laid a wreath, while Prince Harry, who has been estranged from the royal family since stepping back from his duties in 2020, was notably absent. However, days before the event, Harry released a heartfelt statement through his U.S. office, expressing his pride in being British and urging the public not to forget veterans. The Duke of Sussex, who served two tours in Afghanistan, reflected on the courage and compassion he witnessed in war zones but lamented how veterans often feel forgotten once they remove their uniforms.
The weekend’s commemorations also saw Prince George, the 12-year-old eldest son of Prince William and Catherine, attend his first tribute for fallen soldiers at the Royal Albert Hall. The Festival of Remembrance, organized annually by the Royal British Legion, featured readings, prayers, videos, and musical performances, including a performance by Rod Stewart. This marked a significant milestone for George, who is second in line to the throne, as he begins to take on a more active role in royal duties.
-
UK minister says claims BBC misled viewers with Trump edit ‘incredibly serious’
LONDON, United Kingdom — A UK government minister has labeled allegations against the BBC regarding the editing of clips featuring former US President Donald Trump as “incredibly serious.” Culture, Media, and Sport Minister Lisa Nandy made the remarks on Sunday, as the BBC announced its chair, Samir Shah, would address a parliamentary committee on Monday to provide an explanation. Media reports, including those from the BBC, indicated that an apology is expected as part of the response. The controversy centers on edited clips from Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021, which appeared to show him urging supporters to march to the US Capitol and “fight like hell.” However, the unedited version reveals he encouraged the audience to “cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.” The edited footage was featured in the documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?”, broadcast shortly before the 2020 US election. Nandy expressed broader concerns about the BBC’s editorial standards, citing systemic bias in reporting on contentious issues such as Israel, Gaza, transgender rights, and Trump. Earlier this year, the BBC apologized for “serious flaws” in another documentary, “Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone,” and faced sanctions from the UK media watchdog for misleading content.
-
Christians in Bangladesh alarmed after bomb attacks
Bangladesh’s Christian minority, comprising approximately 500,000 individuals in a population of 170 million, is reeling from fear following a series of crude bomb attacks on churches and a Catholic school. Police confirmed on Sunday that the incidents, which caused no injuries, were deliberately orchestrated to instill terror. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, leaving the motives shrouded in mystery.