75º

INSIDER

JAMAICA

Mission JA Makes its Debut as an official Student Organization

In efforts to invite the University of Miami community into the “indescribable experience” that is Jamaican culture, Mission Jamaica (Mission JA) made its debut in August as an official student organization. “When I heard about it [Mission JA] I was so excited,” said Jamaica native and fundraising and outreach co-chair Kaila Ashlye. President and vice president Asheka Newman and Collette Thomas, respectively, along with their executive board, breathed life into Mission JA after the originator graduated before being able to start the club due to the pandemic. So we brought it back to life.”Newman said she has observed the Jamaican population on campus grow exponentially and perceives Mission Jamaica to be a resourceful outlet for students. “This is for Jamaican students who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and won’t be able to return home to get an authentic Jamaican dinner, ” Newman said about the watch party.

themiamihurricane.com

Busy 2023 Ahead for Reggae Band Big Mountain Starting With Rebel Salute

by Howard CampbellKINGSTON, Jamaica — Veteran reggae band Big Mountain have a busy 2023 on the cards and their first stop is Rebel Salute which takes January 20-21 in St. Ann parish, Jamaica. Big Mountain is very proud of being reggae musicians. Big Mountain is currently in India for shows in major cities like Mumbai. After Rebel Salute, they are slated to perform in California in February and March. The other members of Big Mountain are Quino’s younger brother James McWhinney on percussion and vocals.

sflcn.com

Jamaica to Partner with Diplomatic Community to Boost Gastronomy Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Efforts to bolster the continued development of Devon House as Jamaica’s first Gastronomy Centre have received a major boost. The boost includes a launch of an innovative initiative that will leverage partnerships with members of the diplomatic community to enhance gastronomy tourism locally and increase visitor arrivals. Gastronomy CentreDevon House was named Jamaica’s first Gastronomy Centre by Minister of Tourism, Hon. “A big part of this is to involve the diplomatic community of Jamaica to enable the exposure of international cuisine at Devon House,” Minister Bartlett outlined. He explained that to kick-start the programme the first in a series of dinners involving the diplomatic community was hosted earlier this week at the facility.

sflcn.com

Jamaica faces marijuana shortage as farmers struggle

Heavy rains followed by an extended drought, an increase in local consumption and a drop in the number of marijuana farmers have caused a shortage in the island’s famed but largely illegal market that experts say is the worst they’ve seen. “It’s a cultural embarrassment,” said Triston Thompson, chief opportunity explorer for Tacaya, a consulting and brokerage firm for the country's nascent legal cannabis industry. Jamaica, which foreigners have long associated with pot, reggae and Rastafarians, authorized a regulated medical marijuana industry and decriminalized small amounts of weed in 2015. “It destroyed everything,” said Daneyel Bozra, who grows marijuana in the southwest part of Jamaica, in a historical village called Accompong founded by escaped 18th-century slaves known as Maroons. But farmers and activists say weed sold via legal dispensaries known as herb houses is out of reach for many given that it still costs five to 10 times more than pot on the street.

Bond film 'No Time to Die' delayed again because of virus

FILE - In this Thursday, Apriil 25, 2019 file photo, actor Daniel Craig poses for photographers during the photo call of the latest installment of the James Bond film franchise, in Oracabessa, Jamaica. Producers of the forthcoming James Bond thriller say the film's release has been delayed again, until the fall of 2021, because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The official 007 Twitter account said late Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 that the 25th installment in the franchise will now open on Oct. 8. The film from director Cary Joji Fukunaga stars Daniel Craig as 007, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas. After the latest Bond delay was announced, Sony said it was pushing back several of its scheduled spring releases.

Post-Tropical Remnants Of Delta Continue Weaken, As The Heavy Rainfall Threat Diminishes Late Sunday Night

Location 90 miles S of Knoxville Tennessee Wind 15 mph Heading E at 15 mph Pressure 29.77 Coordinates 84.1W, 34.5NDiscussionAt 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Delta was located near latitude 34.5 North, longitude 84.1 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the east near 15 mph, and this motion is expected to continue tonight and Monday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 15 mph (30 km/h) with higher gusts. Some further weakening is possible tonight as a new surface low develops in the Carolinas, and Delta's surface low is expected to be absorbed by this new low pressure area on Monday. Moderate to major river flooring will continue across the Calcasieu and Mermentau river basins in Louisiana through much of next week

South Florida feels massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake centered near Cuba

MIAMI – People all over Miami say they felt buildings swaying after a massive earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude was centered between the island nations of Cuba and Jamaica on Tuesday. The initial tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including one measured at magnitude 6.1. Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell says those in eight buildings in the Brickell and downtown areas self-evacuated and the building department was onsite. Here is the latest from the @CityofMiami EOC regarding the effects felt in #Miami related to the 7.7 magnitude #earthquake that hit near Cuba and Jamaica. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake is considered a major earthquake that can cause serious damage.

Poster for James Bond 25 'No Time To Die' revealed

The wait is almost over for the latest James Bond movie, with a new film poster released this weekend. The picture, unveiled on social media to celebrate global James Bond Day, shows current 007 Daniel Craig looking moody and focused in a(CNN) - The wait is almost over for the latest James Bond movie, with a new film poster released on Saturday. The picture, unveiled on social media to celebrate global James Bond Day, shows current 007 Daniel Craig looking moody and focused in a tuxedo, framed against a blue wall. The latest in the Bond series is hotly anticipated, as it is Craig's last outing as the on-screen spy. Bond's return to Jamaica sees the spy back on familiar ground as the first Bond film 1962's "Dr. No" and 1973's "Live and Let Die" were filmed there.