New Police Commissioner appointed in Jamaica

Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin has been appointed Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), ending months of speculation. The speculation took on a more comical note after it was revealed that the infamous Reneto D Adams had submitted his application as well. This should be interesting as the JCF has never been too warm on outsiders being selected to lead them. Colonel Trevor McMillan started out well the last time around and had good achievements until he slipped, letting his politics interfere with his role as police commissioner. More

Herb McKenley - Athletic legend passed away

World Olympic gold medalist Herbert Henry McKenley passed away today after a long illness. Herb has served the Jamaican community with distinction throughout his lifetime and will be sadly missed. Tributes continue to pour in according to a reports. Further updates on the state funeral to be held in Jamaica will be provided later. More

Jamaicans head to the polls again!

Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced tonight that the Local Government elections will be held on December 5, 2007 following nominations next Monday, November 19, 2007. This should not come as a surprise as the JLP settles in to govern amid unsettling revelations of a number of scandalous activities under the recently ousted PNP government. Classic case of striking the political iron while it's hot!

Jamaicans we forget

Memorial Day 2007 and we remember the sacrifice made by those who died and honour the veterans who have served in the world wars. A number of Jamaican war veterans are still living at Curphey's Place near Mandeville, and they deserve a moment of our time on Remembrance Day each year. I have not see much coverage on the veterans in recent months and I often wonder about their well-being. Throughout the years we have become used to supporting the poppy fund which also provides for these veterans of the two world wars. Let us not forget these brave Jamaicans. More

Athletes and Performance Enhancement

The recent confession by Marion Jones has not only disrupted the athletics world but will further cast doubt on athletes, some of whom will be awarded the medals she will be relinquishing soon. Among these new medalist should be a few Jamaicans. Such a shame on the athletics fraternity as hardly there are any athletes who have excelled to record level that has not been tarnished somewhat even if not removed entirely. The IAAF should continue its relentless pursuit of all those who support this practice and distance themselves from sponsorships and endorsements that might be related to these individuals or entities that taint world athletics. Jamaican athletes over the years have not been spared from scourge of performance enhancements and the track has to be leveled if they are to remain competitive in the future.

The new Jamaican Cabinet

The new Jamaican Cabinet has been announced amidst claims that Prime Minister Golding has reneged on his promise to reduce the size of the government. Golding is defending the 18 member Cabinet which covers 14 ministries saying it was carefully structured to take on the challenges facing the country at this time. More

New Jamaican Prime Minister sworn in today

Bruce Golding leader of "Team JLP" took the oath of office in Kingston today as Jamaica's eight Prime Minister. Sticking to his pledge not to use the "Most Honourable" title, Golding's entry brought an end to eighteen years of PNP rule with three different Prime Ministers.More

Osafa Powell sets a new world record

Asafa Powell has done it again with a time of 9.74s in Reiti, Italy. Many are asking how soon he will be able to silence his critics about not being able to perform at the record breaking level with fellow sprinters like world champion Tyson Gay. Gay might have to wait until next Olympics to meet the fastest man ever!More

New government formed in Jamaica

The election results are in and the unofficial winner is the JLP led by Bruce Golding who will likely be asked to form the new government. More

Jamaica votes today

Jamaica is at the polls today for the 15th general election and in the end we all hope that Jamaica wins. Based on the polls the Bruce Golding led JLP is expected to be victorious by a small margin.

Hurricane Dean update

With the passage of Hurricane Dean Jamaicans in major urban centres had water supply restored starting Monday and today some areas had electricity restored as well as the clearing of major roads. Notably, the telecommunications network was up throughout the hurricane and still is, while the International Airport was re-opened this morning. The state of emergency implemented on Sunday during the hurricane on Sunday will last for a month while the elections have been postponed until September 3 according to unconfirmed reports. more

Jamaica under Hurricane (warning)

The latest report indicate that rain has started in Kingston for what should be the worst hit of the century yet. The shelters are open and those who can afford to, have stocked up on supplies to last for the next week. Curfews have been effected in commercial areas and one would hope for the same in the areas where residents are being evacuated. Hoping for the best in this very bad situation.

Jamaica threatned by hurricane Dean

Jamaica has a lot at stake in the coming elections and this could be further complicated with the arrival of hurricane Dean tomorrow. The country's infrastructure, economy and life will be disrupted and hopefully JPS/Mirant will not be adding to the woes by charging consumers for restoration of service as they did after hurricane Ivan. In the next couple of weeks Jamaica's most vulnerable will be faced with the task of re-building their lives often from ground zero.

Nominations, Debates, Elections...

With the nominations and debates in the recent past the focus is now on the Jamaican general elections. Will Prime Minister Simpson Miller get her mandate or will the people opt for a change? Portia Simpson Miller is likable and well loved but will she get the uncommitted support from all key members of her party? Her ascent to power is an important juncture in Jamaican history and could represent a bridge over that chasm which has divided the different classes in the society for decades. However, after 18 years at the helm the vote might just reflect an electorate wanting a "change" from the Peoples National Party and nothing else.

Jamaican food in the GTA

There are Caribbean restaurants as well as Jamaican restaurants in Toronto and then there are those on the scale somewhere between the two. For a good roti I will choose a restaurant with speciality for southern Caribbean flair however Jerk has to be cooked a special way. My quest today for Jerk Chicken was disastrous. Jamaican food is cooked a particular way and meats are prepared with herbs and seasonings, allspice (pimento) is the noted exception to this. It is not Jerk Chicken if it has been prepared with nutmeg and cinnamon and cooks need to adjust the name to indicate this.

Island Soul

Today's Island soul was a tremendous success. Barrrington Levy was in Toronto and the visitors at the Harbourfront Centre were treated to the best of Barrington. Looking forward to more of the same next year.

Trevor Rhone making waves

Trevor Rhone may be known today in Jamaica more for his plays that the hit Smile Orange of the 1970s. Trevor Rhone's recent recognition as one of the last century's significant international Black/African personalities in film and television globally came as a pleasant surprise as one would not have expected this given his operation outside the Hollywood sphere. Good going Trevor!