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标签： Jamaica

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  • Bold Mexican Flavour @ FRIDA KAFE

    Bold Mexican Flavour @ FRIDA KAFE

    Nestled within Montego Bay’s vibrant Hip Strip, Frida Kafe has emerged as a distinctive culinary destination, successfully completing its inaugural year of operation since opening in January 2025. This Mexican-inspired bistro has weathered operational challenges and Hurricane Melissa to establish itself as a unique dining experience that artfully blends authentic Mexican flavors with Jamaican accessibility.

    The establishment’s culinary philosophy centers on creating dishes that honor Mexican culinary traditions while accommodating diverse palates. Their innovative menu features standout creations including gobernador tacos (cheesy shrimp tacos with chipotle mayo), enchiladas verdes, chorizo burritos, and chilaquiles. Notably, the kitchen team led by Head Chef Roger Suarez and Sous-Chef Ernesto Gotopo maintains a flexible approach to spiciness, allowing diners to customize heat levels according to preference.

    Karina Ruelas, coordinator for both Frida Kafe and its sister establishment Taco Spot, reflects on their journey: ‘Our first year has been a roller coaster. We’ve developed regular customers and attracted adventurous food enthusiasts who appreciate our unique offerings not commonly found in Montego Bay.’

    The menu spans breakfast and lunch options with distinctive dishes like divorciados, birria, shrimp ceviche tostada, and gorditas alongside more familiar items such as waffles. The beverage program complements the food with artisanal coffee selections, fresh smoothies, juices, and specialty drinks including their signature hot chocolate made with 70% dark chocolate.

    Frida Kafe’s atmosphere combines a cozy café ambiance with vibrant Mexican aesthetic, creating an ideal daytime retreat. The establishment operates Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and extends to 5:00 PM on weekends, maintaining its location at 11 Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay. Contact: 876-498-4133.

  • Jamaican defectors to make US$300k after allegiance switch to Turkey

    Jamaican defectors to make US$300k after allegiance switch to Turkey

    ISTANBUL, Turkey — In a bold strategic move to transform its Olympic fortunes, Turkey has initiated a comprehensive, long-term program to recruit elite Jamaican and Kenyan track and field athletes. This initiative, offering substantial financial incentives, is a direct response to the nation’s failure to secure a single gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where it won a total of eight medals across all sports.\n\nThe program provides recruited athletes with a monthly salary ranging from $3,000 to $7,000, complemented by generous performance bonuses. For an Olympic gold medal, an athlete would be rewarded with 1,000 Turkish Republic gold pieces (Cumhuriyet Altini), a prize equivalent to over one million US dollars.\n\nOnder Ozbilen, the coordinator for Turkey’s Olympic athletics team, emphasized to AFP that this endeavor is far more nuanced than simply purchasing talent. Dismissing reports of $500,000 upfront payments, Ozbilen clarified that some athletes would receive up to $300,000 distributed over a 30-month period. This sum is designed to compensate for the mandatory three-year period of international competition inactivity during the nationality switch process, a time when athletes typically lose out on win bonuses and endorsement opportunities.\n\n\”This is not a Turkish guy going to some countries with a bag of money in his hands,\” Ozbilen stated. \”This is the most long-term plan and humanistic naturalisation project in the world till now.\”\n\nThe recruitment drive has already secured commitments from a prestigious cohort of athletes. From Jamaica, the group includes 2024 Olympic discus champion Roje Stona, long jump silver medalist Wayne Pinnock, shot put bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell, and highly-rated 21-year-old triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert. From Kenya, the quintet features former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei. Russian heptathlete Sofia Yakushina and Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, a 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, have also signed contracts extending through October 2032.\n\nAthletes and their representatives have been candid about the financial motivations behind the switch. Wayne Pinnock explained, \”I gotta do it. I mean… I do love my country, but loyalty doesn’t pay bills.\” Roje Stona’s manager, Paul Doyle, stated that without Turkish support, his athlete \”would have had a very difficult time continuing to dedicate himself to the sport.\”\n\nHowever, Ozbilen refutes the characterization of these as \”mercenary transfers,\\” arguing that several athletes had been \”forgotten by their federations\” and that Turkey offers a supportive environment. He also revealed rejecting approaches from 30 other athletes, including Americans, whose interest he deemed solely financial.\n\nThe strategy is not without precedent; nations like Qatar have historically recruited East African running talent. Furthermore, the initiative has sparked domestic debate within Turkey, receiving a mixed reception from local athletes and coaches.\n\nThe final approval for these nationality switches rests with World Athletics, the sport’s global governing body, which mandates that athletes demonstrate \”a genuine connection with the country represented.\” Ozbilen expressed confidence, noting all recruits have been provided accommodation in Turkey and that they are \”waiting respectfully\” for the governing body’s decision. This sentiment was echoed cautiously by agents like Robert Wagner, who represents Canadian hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg—a athlete who declined Turkey’s offer. Wagner hopes the federation will scrutinize each case \”very carefully,\” quipping that eligibility \”can’t just be that you’re just never there and just have an apartment where somebody just waters your flowers.\”\n\nBeyond medal acquisition, Ozbilen envisions this project as a catalyst for domestic athletic growth, believing the imported stars will \”act as role models that will attract local talents\” and elevate track and field’s profile across Turkey.

  • Edwin Allen boys get $1-million Champs boost from former student athletes

    Edwin Allen boys get $1-million Champs boost from former student athletes

    CLARENDON, Jamaica—In a significant pre-championship morale booster, Edwin Allen High School’s boys’ track and field program has received a substantial donation of $1 million Jamaican dollars from four distinguished alumni athletes. The contribution comes just weeks before the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Championships scheduled for March 24-28.

    The former student-athletes—Jevaughn Powell, Bryan Levell, Dennick Luke, and Delano Kennedy—personally presented the financial gift during a ceremony at their alma mater in Frankfield, Clarendon on Thursday. This collective gesture from accomplished professionals highlights their commitment to nurturing the next generation of track talent.

    The timing proves particularly crucial for the boys’ team, which finished eighth overall with 58 points in last year’s championship standings. The injection of funds will potentially enhance training facilities, equipment, and overall preparation for the upcoming competition.

    Each donor brings impressive credentials: Bryan Levell captured bronze in the 200m at the World Championships in Tokyo and achieved the Class 1 sprint double during his final competitive year at Edwin Allen in 2022. Delano Kennedy secured the Class 1 400m title in 2023, while Jevaughn Powell—a silver medalist in the 4x400m relay at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene—previously won the Class 2 400m event at the 2017 ISSA Championships before transferring to Kingston College. Powell’s notable 48.11-second victory in that race outperformed Antonio Watson of Petersfield (48.54) and Evaldo Whitehorne of Calabar (48.78).

    The alumni’s generosity not only provides material support but also serves as inspiration for current team members aspiring to follow in their footsteps.

  • Missing out on ‘the coins’

    Missing out on ‘the coins’

    Jamaica’s global musical prestige stands in stark contrast to its domestic failure to secure royalties for the very creators behind its cultural exports. This systemic breakdown in intellectual property enforcement was laid bare during a parliamentary committee hearing reviewing the National Culture and Creative Economy Policy.

    Evon Mullings, General Manager of the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS), delivered a sobering assessment to lawmakers, revealing that weak integration between copyright regulations and local permitting systems has created massive revenue leakage. While Jamaica hosts over 16,000 events annually according to official data, less than one-third obtain proper music licensing, leaving performers and producers uncompensated.

    The core issue centers on public performance rights—the legal framework requiring venues and event organizers to pay fees when playing recorded music. This encompasses hotels, bars, restaurants, and live events that commercially benefit from Jamaica’s musical heritage. Mullings identified the events sector as particularly problematic, with inconsistent enforcement across parishes and no legal mechanism for police to require copyright permits during event approvals.

    “The police currently are unable to direct event organisers to have the JAMMS and the JACAP permits. They cannot bond them, they cannot compel them,” Mullings testified, noting that enforcement only becomes possible during events—a dangerous and inefficient approach.

    The hearing also exposed secondary gaps in performers’ rights, where Jamaican vocalists and musicians lack equivalent royalty entitlements compared to international counterparts. This legal deficiency has trapped millions of dollars in foreign royalties that cannot be repatriated due to absent reciprocal arrangements.

    In response, Culture Minister Olivia Grange signaled impending reforms, including a proposed one-stop permit system that would integrate municipalities, police, and copyright organizations. The ministry also acknowledged the need for public education among small promoters who remain unaware of royalty requirements.

    The parliamentary session concluded with recognition that Jamaica’s creative economy cannot reach its potential without structural reforms that properly value musical intellectual property.

  • Trump fires homeland security chief Kristi Noem

    Trump fires homeland security chief Kristi Noem

    WASHINGTON—In a significant cabinet reshuffle, President Donald Trump terminated Kristi Noem’s tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security on Thursday. The dismissal follows contentious Senate hearings where Noem faced bipartisan criticism over the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

    The immediate catalyst for Noem’s removal appears to be her testimony regarding a $220 million departmental advertising campaign featuring herself prominently, which she stated had presidential approval. Trump announced via Truth Social that Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would assume leadership of the powerful department effective March 31, pending Senate confirmation.

    Trump simultaneously appointed the 54-year-old Noem as special envoy for a new Western Hemisphere security initiative dubbed ‘The Shield of the Americas.’ The president praised her ‘spectacular results’ in border security while characterizing Mullin as a ‘MAGA Warrior’ who would prioritize border security, combat migrant crime, and end illegal drug trafficking.

    The leadership change occurs during a partial DHS shutdown, with Democrats withholding funding until operational changes are implemented at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These include curtailed patrols, prohibitions on face masks for agents, and requiring judicial warrants before entering private properties.

    During Tuesday’s Senate hearings, Noem faced severe criticism from both parties. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin accused DHS of being ‘devoid of any moral compass,’ while Republican Senator Thom Tillis described her leadership as ‘a disaster’ citing wrongful detentions of American citizens. The hearing also addressed controversial expenditures on self-deportation advertisements and the characterization of protest victims as ‘domestic terrorists.’

  • Waterhouse, Cavalier score win in rescheduled JPL games

    Waterhouse, Cavalier score win in rescheduled JPL games

    In Thursday’s rescheduled Jamaica Premier League fixtures, two decisive victories reshaped the league standings as Waterhouse FC and reigning champions Cavalier SC both secured wins while avenging first-round defeats.

    Waterhouse FC extended their impressive unbeaten streak to seven consecutive matches with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park. The match’s pivotal moment arrived during first-half stoppage time when Mario Simms netted the sole goal, propelling his team to fifth position in the current league rankings. Portmore United’s challenges compounded in the 73rd minute when Romeo Guthrie received a red card, reducing his side to ten men for the remainder of the contest.

    Meanwhile, Cavalier SC delivered a strong performance against Molynes United at Stadium East, claiming a 2-1 victory that strengthens their position in the league table. Christopher Ainsworth broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, followed by Daryl Massicot’s decisive strike in the 73rd minute. Although Nicholas Nelson managed a consolation goal for Molynes United deep into second-half stoppage time, the effort proved insufficient to alter the match outcome. This result positions Cavalier SC comfortably in sixth place, now maintaining a four-point advantage over seventh-ranked Dunbeholden FC.

    These matches demonstrated both teams’ resilience and competitive determination as the Jamaica Premier League season progresses toward its climax, with both Waterhouse FC and Cavalier SC building momentum at a crucial stage of the competition.

  • KC, JC juggernauts to clash in ISSA urban U-14 and U-16 finals

    KC, JC juggernauts to clash in ISSA urban U-14 and U-16 finals

    Jamaica’s urban schoolboy football landscape is set for a monumental clash as powerhouse institutions Kingston College (KC) and Jamaica College (JC) secured their places in both the Under-14 and Under-16 championship finals following impressive semi-final performances.

    The road to the finals showcased both schools’ footballing prowess across different age groups. Jamaica College’s Under-14 squad delivered a commanding 2-0 victory against Wolmer’s Boys on Monday, while their Under-16 team demonstrated remarkable composure by defeating St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) 4-3 on penalties after a tense goalless draw in regular time.

    Kingston College responded with equally impressive showings on Tuesday. Their Under-14 team, maintaining an exceptional defensive record throughout the season, secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Campion College thanks to a 62nd-minute goal from standout striker Owayne Feautado. The Under-16 KC squad delivered a more decisive performance, overwhelming Mona High with a 4-0 triumph highlighted by Juvaun Buckeridge’s remarkable hat-trick. The prolific scorer, who netted over 30 goals last season at the Under-14 level, found the net in the 27th, 37th, and 51st minutes, following Rasheed Payne’s opening goal in the 19th minute.

    The stage is now set for Thursday’s championship finals where both schools will compete for dual titles. The Under-14 final promises to be particularly intriguing as both teams previously battled to a 0-0 draw in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the Under-16 final will see KC entering with psychological advantage having recently defeated JC 1-0 in their quarter-final encounter via an own goal. Despite previous results, both finals are expected to showcase intensely competitive football between these two historically dominant programs.

  • International chefs preview bold flavours ahead of Jamaica Food & Drink Festival

    International chefs preview bold flavours ahead of Jamaica Food & Drink Festival

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Food & Drink Kitchen transformed into an epicurean laboratory Wednesday evening as celebrated chefs from across the globe unveiled innovative interpretations of Caribbean gastronomy. The exclusive Chef’s Table event, an invitation-only preview for the 2026 Jamaica Food & Drink Festival, demonstrated how traditional regional ingredients are being reinvented through contemporary culinary techniques.

    The evening’s presentations revolved around this year’s festival theme: creative reimagining of familiar Caribbean components. Chef Scotley Innis, the Bronx-born culinary artist of Jamaican descent renowned for his Food Network appearances, showcased his innovative approach through dishes like crispy tuna served on sushi-style rice and peas, curry shrimp potstickers accentuated with scotch bonnet garnish, and an inventive coco-bread bread pudding complemented by rum crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream.

    Brooklyn-based restaurateur Chef Patrick Simpson emphasized traditional Jamaican flavors presented through novel formats. His culinary offerings included ackee and salomon gundy bammy bites, red snapper sliders accompanied by spicy calypso coleslaw, and pulled jerk chicken tostones finished with avocado aioli.

    Adding regional diversity to the proceedings, award-winning Trinidadian chef Brigette Joseph presented a fusion of Trinidadian and broader Caribbean influences. Her menu featured spiced goat dumplings with tamarind-soy glaze and chilli oil, stewed pork belly paired with macaroni-pie croquette and coconut callaloo, plus a trio of traditional Trinidadian chokas served alongside fried paratha.

    The mixology component received equal innovation, with Chicago-based expert Tyler MacLellan crafting signature cocktails using Jamaican rum and tropical flavors. His creations included the Starbird Lights, a honey-and-passionfruit rum concoction, and the Fyah Bird, made with clarified strawberry cordial, pineapple, and lime.

    Organizers highlighted that the festival, scheduled for March 5-8 in Kingston, will feature four signature events: KUYAH, DECADE 2.0, Meet Street & The Market, and Boozy Brunch. The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival, presented by VISA and hosted by CB Foods, continues to establish Kingston as a premier culinary destination within the Caribbean region.

  • Cuba restores power to most households after major blackout

    Cuba restores power to most households after major blackout

    HAVANA, Cuba – Cuban energy officials confirmed on Thursday that electrical service had been largely restored following a massive nationwide blackout that plunged significant portions of the country into darkness. The widespread outage, which began Wednesday afternoon, affected approximately two-thirds of the Caribbean nation, including the capital city of Havana.

    The Ministry of Energy reported that by late Thursday afternoon, the national grid had been successfully reconnected with approximately 80% of households in Havana regaining power. The initial trigger for the catastrophic failure was identified as a technical breakdown at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, Cuba’s largest power generation facility, located in the central-western region.

    However, authorities emphasized that the root cause extends beyond mechanical failure to systemic vulnerabilities within Cuba’s energy infrastructure. The fundamental issue stems from critical fuel shortages that have crippled the country’s ability to maintain backup generator support for the national grid. This scarcity directly results from stringent United States restrictions on oil shipments to the island nation.

    Cuba’s electrical generation system has deteriorated significantly, with regular daily outages lasting up to 20 hours in some regions becoming commonplace. The current crisis affects all 9.6 million residents and occurs amidst heightened geopolitical tensions following the United States’ diplomatic recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate leader on January 3, effectively ousting Nicolás Maduro.

    This political shift has proven particularly consequential for Cuba, as Maduro’s administration previously supplied approximately half of Cuba’s fuel imports. Although Washington initially imposed a comprehensive oil embargo following Maduro’s departure, subsequent modifications eased restrictions after neighboring Caribbean nations warned of potential economic collapse and humanitarian consequences.

    Despite these adjustments, the Trump administration maintained substantial pressure through various blockade measures, leaving oil shipments from Caracas to Havana in operational limbo. The complete cessation of oil imports since January 9 has forced airlines to reduce services to the island and exacerbated Cuba’s prolonged economic difficulties.

  • Allen’s record ton powers New Zealand into T20 World Cup final

    Allen’s record ton powers New Zealand into T20 World Cup final

    In a spectacular display of power hitting at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, New Zealand’s Finn Allen rewrote the record books on Wednesday, smashing the fastest century in T20 World Cup history to demolish South Africa by nine wickets and secure a place in the tournament final.

    The explosive opener reached his unbeaten 100 from just 33 deliveries, obliterating Chris Gayle’s previous record of 47 balls, as New Zealand chased down South Africa’s total of 169-8 with a staggering 7.1 overs remaining. Allen’s breathtaking innings featured 10 fours and 8 sixes in a demonstration of controlled aggression that left the Proteas bowling attack in disarray.

    Allen found perfect synergy with opening partner Tim Seifert, who contributed 58 runs in their devastating 117-run partnership that spanned just 9.1 overs. The collaboration effectively decided the contest within the first half of the chase, with Seifert providing stability while Allen unleashed his destructive capabilities.

    Reflecting on his record-breaking performance, Allen acknowledged his partner’s role: “It’s easy for me when Timmy’s going like that. I can just watch and then hit it when it’s in my area and try to give him the strike.”

    Earlier, New Zealand’s spin duo of Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie had applied significant pressure, each claiming two wickets to restrict South Africa to 169-8 after captain Mitchell Santner elected to field first. The previously unbeaten South Africans collapsed to 77-5 before Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 55 provided some respectability to their total.

    New Zealand, who had qualified for the semi-finals on net run rate, now advance to Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad where they will face either India or England as they pursue their first T20 World Cup title.