Merritone Music, affectionately known as ‘The Last Sound Standing’ since the 1950s, is marking its monumental 75th anniversary with a series of global celebrations. This year’s festivities, held from October 24–27 at the picturesque SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay, St James, promise four days of uninterrupted music curated by Merritone DJs. A special vinyl feature will cater to diehard music enthusiasts, while new additions like the Wellness Expo and Craft Village aim to enrich the experience for attendees.
标签： Jamaica
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Bahamians urged to avoid fast speed boats leaving Venezuela
NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – In light of the United States’ escalating military presence in the Caribbean as part of its campaign against alleged drug traffickers from Venezuela, Bahamian National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has issued a stern warning to citizens. Munroe advised Bahamians to steer clear of ‘go fast boats’ departing from Venezuela, emphasizing the potential dangers posed by the US operations. While the Bahamas does not intend to mirror the US military actions, Munroe stressed the importance of avoiding any involvement that could lead to unintended consequences.
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Watson, DaCosta dominate with four winners at Caymanas Park
Carlton Watson and Jason DaCosta delivered an extraordinary performance at Caymanas Park on Sunday, clinching four victories across the nine-race card. The highlight of their remarkable day was Dothraki’s triumph in the $1.25-million Vassel “Jolly Man” Najair Memorial Trophy, an Overnight Allowance race for three-year-olds and older, covering five and a half furlongs (1,100m). Guided by jockey Robert Halledeen, Dothraki seized an early lead, maintaining his position despite challenges from Incredible Jo (Raddesh Roman) and A Gift From Ben (Ramon Nepare). He crossed the finish line a length and a quarter ahead of Digital One (Dane Dawkins) and Teflon Don (Shaheem Gordon), clocking an impressive time of 1:05.4 (23.2 x 47.1 x 59.3). This victory not only showcased Dothraki’s exceptional speed and endurance but also set the stage for his upcoming participation in the Mouttet Mile this December. Watson and DaCosta’s other successes included Midnight Traveller (Halledeen) in the second race, Mineola (Clive Lynch) in the sixth race, and H Two O (Halledeen) in the seventh race. The three-day Heroes’ Day racing carnival concluded on Monday, with the first post scheduled for 11:35 am.
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CDB, OPEC Fund forge partnership to boost Caribbean development
In a historic move, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development have inked a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster cooperation and expedite sustainable development across the Caribbean region. The agreement, signed during the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration in critical sectors including climate resilience, renewable energy, food security, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment. This partnership aims to facilitate joint financing initiatives, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing, enabling Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) to access innovative resources and solutions. CDB President Daniel Best hailed the MOU as a transformative step toward reshaping the region’s development trajectory. He emphasized that strategic alliances between multilateral development banks are essential for addressing global challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The collaboration will focus on project preparation, regional dialogues, and capacity building, with priority areas such as climate-smart agriculture, water security, digital connectivity, and private sector expansion. Best highlighted the unique synergy between CDB’s regional expertise and the OPEC Fund’s global reach, which he said would unlock unprecedented opportunities for Caribbean nations. The partnership will also support youth empowerment, technical and vocational training, and innovative financing mechanisms like debt-for-sustainability swaps and blue economy projects, further cementing the Caribbean’s role as a leader in climate resilience and sustainable development.
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Eltha ‘Paulette’ Brown was not a household name but she was a Jamaican heroine
On the day following what would have been Eltha Brown’s 68th birthday, family, friends, and colleagues gathered to honor her remarkable life and legacy. A woman of modest stature but immense impact, Brown’s contributions to Jamaica and the world were profound, particularly through her work with the United Nations (UN), which touched countless lives across the globe. Born in Granville, St. James, on September 19, 1957, Brown was the youngest of six children. Her early academic excellence at Montego Bay High School, where she served as head girl and achieved nine distinctions in her GCE exams, foreshadowed her future accomplishments. Brown’s career spanned agriculture, finance, and international development, with significant roles at the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Commercial Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Her 16-year tenure at the UN-affiliated Common Fund for Commodities in Amsterdam saw her travel to 50 countries, embodying her Afrocentric pride and dedication to global progress. Despite health challenges, Brown returned to Jamaica, continuing her service with the UN Development Programme. Her brother Wemley Brown fondly recalled her generosity, humility, and unwavering commitment to family and community. Eltha Brown’s life was celebrated at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew, where tributes highlighted her magnetic passion, tenacity, and the indelible mark she left on all who knew her. She passed away on September 7, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, leadership, and global impact.
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Keith & Tex in the consideration for reggae Grammy
Nearly six decades after their debut, reggae legends Keith & Tex are in the running for a Grammy Award. Their latest album, *Gun Fire*, has been shortlisted among 73 contenders for Best Reggae Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Produced by Spain’s Roberto Sanchez and released in March by Liquidator Music, the album showcases their enduring talent and dedication to the genre. The duo, known for timeless hits like *Stop That Train* and *Tonight*, expressed their gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing their 57-year journey and their role as one of the few surviving acts from the 1960s still actively creating music. Keith Rowe, based in Tampa, Florida, and Phillip Texas Dixon, residing in Toronto, Canada, have collaborated with European musicians to craft *Gun Fire*, featuring original tracks such as *Country Living*, *Simple Man*, and *On The Streets*. The Recording Academy unveiled the provisional list on October 3, with official nominees set to be announced on November 7. The awards ceremony will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Keith & Tex began their careers in the early 1960s as part of a five-member group, later transitioning to a duo under Derrick Harriott’s Crystal label, where they produced iconic hits like *Tonight* and *Stop That Train*. After migrating to North America in the 1970s, they returned to music in 1997 with *Back Together Again*, cementing their legacy in reggae history.
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Manning Cup round of 16 groups decided
The ISSA Wata Manning Cup has reached a pivotal stage as the round of 16 teams have been determined following a series of intense matches on Saturday. Defending champions Kingston College (KC) experienced their first setback of the season, settling for a 0-0 draw against Tivoli Gardens High School. Despite this, KC secured the top spot in Zone B with 28 points, while Tivoli Gardens claimed second place with 21 points. Meanwhile, Charlie Smith clinched third place in Zone B with an 18-point tally after a narrow 2-1 victory over Haile Selassie High, who finished fourth with 14 points and missed the cut for the next round. In Zone A, St George’s College edged out Hydel High in a thrilling 4-3 encounter, securing second place with 21 points. Hydel, despite their fourth defeat, advanced as the best fourth-placed team with 16 points. Excelsior High emerged as Zone A leaders with 24 points after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with St Jago High, who slipped to third but still progressed. In Zone D, St Catherine High maintained a flawless record with 10 wins from 10 games, finishing top with 30 points after a 1-0 victory over Eltham High, who secured second place with 24 points. Campion College, third in Zone D, also advanced. The round of 16 has been divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. Group 1 features Excelsior High, Tivoli Gardens, St Andrew Technical High, and Wolmer’s Boys. Group 2 includes KC, Calabar, Campion, and Hydel. Group 3 comprises St Catherine High, St George’s College, Charlie Smith, and Vauxhall High. Group 4, arguably the toughest, pits Mona High, Jamaica College, Eltham High, and St Jago against each other. The round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, promising exciting matchups.
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Denyque’s back
Jamaican singer-songwriter Denyque is making a powerful comeback with her latest single, *Who Dem*, a deeply personal track that resonates with her journey of overcoming self-doubt and insecurity. Despite being out of the musical spotlight in recent years, Denyque has been tirelessly working behind the scenes, and her efforts are now paying off as her fan base grows exponentially.
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Man Utd stretch Liverpool losing streak to four games
In a historic turn of events, Manchester United clinched a 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, marking their first win at the iconic stadium in nearly a decade. This triumph also handed Liverpool their fourth consecutive defeat, a feat not seen in 11 years. Harry Maguire’s decisive 84th-minute header sealed the win, propelling United to their first back-to-back Premier League victories under manager Ruben Amorim. The match began dramatically, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring just 61 seconds into the game, only for Cody Gakpo to equalize late in the second half. However, defensive lapses allowed Maguire to capitalize on a Bruno Fernandes cross, securing the three points for United. Liverpool, now four points behind league leaders Arsenal, continues to grapple with squad integration issues despite a £450 million spending spree in the transfer market. The loss further complicates their pursuit of a record 21st English top-flight title, while United’s resurgence eases pressure on Amorim, who celebrated his most significant win in nearly a year at the helm.
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Box for a bed
For months, a 63-year-old man in downtown Kingston called a cardboard box his home. Shielded only by a discarded plastic mattress wrap, he endured the elements, with Kingston Harbour serving as his makeshift bathroom. Dependent on sporadic meals from charitable organizations, he lived in absolute poverty, uncertain of his next meal. His life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he found refuge at The Lord’s Place, a sanctuary run by the Missionaries of the Poor. Today, he has a stable job in landscaping, a roof over his head, and the ability to assist others experiencing homelessness.