标签： Jamaica

Nestled on Mannings Hill Road, Totally Delicious Bakery has long been celebrated for its freshly baked hard-dough bread and comforting cakes. Recently, the bakery has introduced a new star to its menu: the garlic hard-dough bread. This innovative creation has quickly become a customer favorite, thanks to its rich, buttery flavor and aromatic herbs.

The journey of this gourmet bread began three years ago when a customer inquiry about different bread varieties sparked an idea in baker Simone Martin. Martin, who had previously experimented with garlic bread, decided to test the waters by producing small quantities. The initial response was positive, but the real breakthrough came when content creator Tallonn Zeparti reviewed the bread on his vlog. This exposure catapulted the garlic hard-dough bread into the limelight, making it a must-try item.

Available on Tuesdays and Fridays, the bakery now bakes nearly 60 loaves daily, offering them in two sizes: a large loaf for $900 and a smaller one for $500. Verne Williams, co-principal of Totally Delicious, describes the bread as a gourmet departure from traditional staples, offering a sophisticated twist that has become a favorite among caterers.

Supervisor Winsome Haynes highlights the bread’s versatility as its key appeal. ‘It’s a personal favorite because there are so many uses for it,’ she notes. ‘It works as a meal by itself or pairs beautifully with dishes like pasta or lasagna. The added health benefits of garlic make it even more appealing.’

The bakery’s success story is a testament to the power of innovation and customer feedback. From a simple idea to a gourmet sensation, Totally Delicious Bakery continues to delight its patrons with its unique and flavorful offerings.

In a somber turn of events, Richard Randolph, a 63-year-old man convicted of the 1988 rape and murder of his former store manager, was executed by lethal injection on Thursday in Florida. The execution took place at 6:12 pm (2312 GMT) at a state prison in Raiford, as confirmed by the Florida Department of Corrections. Randolph was sentenced to death in 1989 for the brutal killing of Minnie McCollum, a 62-year-old convenience store manager. Court documents reveal that Randolph committed the heinous act after McCollum caught him attempting to break into the store’s safe. Florida has been at the forefront of executions in the United States this year, with 17 carried out so far, surpassing other states like Alabama and Texas, each with five executions. Randolph’s death marks the 44th execution in the U.S. in 2025, the highest number since 2010 when 46 inmates were executed. The majority of this year’s executions—36—were conducted via lethal injection, while three were carried out by firing squad and five by nitrogen hypoxia, a method criticized by United Nations experts as cruel and inhumane. The death penalty remains a contentious issue in the U.S., with 23 states having abolished it and three others—California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—imposing moratoriums. President Donald Trump has been a vocal advocate for capital punishment, calling for its expanded use for the most severe crimes on his first day in office.

In a courtroom drama that unfolded in St James, Jamaica, Romaine Christie found himself at the center of a legal battle over an alleged theft of three mobile phones. Christie, who appeared before Parish Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton on Wednesday, faced charges of simple larceny following an incident in September. According to court records, Christie entered a Montego Bay store, requested to inspect three Samsung phones, and then abruptly fled with the devices. The theft was promptly reported, leading to Christie’s arrest and subsequent charges. During the hearing, Christie’s father pleaded for leniency, vowing to compensate for the stolen items. Christie himself claimed that his actions were driven by a desire to fund his mother’s impending eye surgery. However, Judge Fairclough-Hylton expressed skepticism, noting that despite Christie’s claims, the surgery had not been paid for. Christie countered that the procedure was postponed due to his mother’s elevated blood pressure. The case was referred to mediation, where Christie agreed to reimburse the complainant. The judge granted bail set at $150,000 with up to three sureties and scheduled the next hearing for January 14, 2026.

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican Government has announced the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) to oversee the extensive recovery and rebuilding efforts. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness revealed the initiative during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday, emphasizing the urgency and scale of the reconstruction required.

Hurricane Melissa, described as the deadliest natural disaster to hit Jamaica in over 70 years, has caused an estimated US$8.8 billion in physical damage, according to a World Bank assessment. The Government is expected to shoulder at least half of this cost, with the remainder covered by private entities. NaRRA, a statutory body with special powers, will be granted immediate access to US$1.15 billion to initiate its operations.

Prime Minister Holness explained that existing government structures are ill-equipped to handle reconstruction at the necessary speed and scale. NaRRA will centralize efforts, avoiding the inefficiencies of fragmented ministry-by-ministry approaches. The authority will focus on building safer, climate-resilient infrastructure, improving land-use planning, and relocating communities from high-risk zones.

Funding for NaRRA will come from the national budget, with initial resources drawn from the National Natural Disaster Recovery Fund (NNDRF), which includes proceeds from Jamaica’s catastrophe bonds and other disaster risk instruments. The Government may also borrow additional funds to meet the extensive financial demands of the reconstruction.

NaRRA will operate under special legislation, with a sunset clause of five years, renewable by Parliament. It will be led by a multi-stakeholder board, chaired by the Prime Minister, and include experts in engineering, finance, planning, and project management. The authority will also establish an inter-agency coordinating committee to expedite decision-making.

Holness assured that transparency and accountability will remain priorities, with mechanisms embedded in the legislation to ensure public trust. He also highlighted that NaRRA’s approach could serve as a blueprint for broader public sector transformation, aligning with the Government’s vision of a modern, efficient State capable of delivering large-scale development projects.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Jamaican gospel star Kevin Downswell has spearheaded a remarkable humanitarian initiative, uniting fellow gospel artistes, volunteers, and everyday Jamaicans to aid those displaced by the storm. Over the past three weeks, Downswell and his team have been actively providing relief across western Jamaica, offering not just material support but also emotional and spiritual comfort.

Downswell recounted the immediate response to the disaster: ‘Right after the storm, I reached out to several gospel artistes, urging us to pool our resources and act swiftly. People needed more than food—they needed prayer, strength, hope, and solidarity.’ During the first week, Downswell, alongside gospel artistes John Mark Wiggan and Prince Saj, visited St. Elizabeth, distributing care packages and partnering with companies like KFC to amplify their efforts.

The second week saw the team in Montego Bay, St. James, where they addressed the aftermath in areas like Catherine Hall and Bogue Heights. ‘We listened, encouraged, and prayed with the affected families,’ Downswell shared. The mission continued into Westmoreland, where communities such as Baeston Springs and Paradise received much-needed support. Each trip ensured supplies for 250 people, including toiletries, cooked meals, and non-perishable goods, with significant contributions from Ziggy’s and KFC restaurants.

Downswell emphasized the importance of personal connection: ‘Listening to their stories and offering a hand to hold means the world to them. Even if we don’t pray, just being there to listen has been a special part of this journey.’ The initiative has been a collective effort, with gospel artistes like DJ Nicholas and Chevelle Franklyn contributing despite being unable to join in person.

‘This is a true collective effort,’ Downswell stated. ‘What one couldn’t provide, another did. We’re showing up week after week to ensure no one feels forgotten. We love our nation and its people, and we’ll keep going—one community, one family, one prayer at a time. Together, we’ll come back stronger.’