Buju gets 10 year bid.

 Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was sentenced this morning by US District Judge James Moody, four months after being convicted of conspiracy to set up a cocaine deal

FLORIDA, United States,  – Reggae superstar Buju Banton will spend the next 10 years behind bars in the US-state of Florida, , followed by five years of probation.

Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was sentenced this morning by US District Judge James Moody, four months after being convicted of conspiracy to set up a cocaine deal in 2009. He was facing up to 15 years in prison.

Starbucks Demands More Jamaican Coffee - Gold Cup Wins Contract As Supplier

Starbucks, the United States-based coffee chain has purchased a record 110 barrels of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee or 60 per cent more than last year, in a deal slated to grow the exposure of the luxury bean, acording to the Coffee Industry Board (CIB).

The Fortune 500 company also plans to widen the coffee's availability by increasing its distribution tenfold into 500 premium stores.

This larger store presence, up from 50 stores last year, will give the local coffee increased brand exposure in the US market, CIB head Christopher Gentles told the Financial Gleaner in an interview.

Right On Air Jamaica

The United States Embassy in Kingston had issued a dire warning that the then national airline faced the risk of being grounded under the People's National Party (PNP) Government because it lacked the political will to divest the Love Bird.

Against that background, Prime Minister Bruce Golding won the admiration of the United States government for his decision to divest the loss-making national airline, Air Jamaica.

Plans afoot to improve the Sumfest experience

ORGANISERS of the annual music festival, Reggae Sumfest, are moving to ensure a patron-friendly experience for the 2011 edition as the venue is set to undergo extensive work to alleviate problems that were experienced in the past.

Due to heavy rains last year, the venue encountered soggy muddy conditions which proved a major problem for show goers; however the organisers have put in place stringent measures to alleviate this problem.

Summerfest Productions venue manager Sydney Reid explains: "We will be cutting a lot more drainage areas right throughout the venue this year so that there cannot be any settling of water. We will also be building roadways using special material for the roadways and pathways heading into and around the venue. It will be similar to an asphalt roadway."

Reid

CAL-Air Jamaica deal sealed

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday May 27, 2011 – Just over a year after Caribbean Airlines (CAL) acquired Air Jamaica’s fleet and route rights, the merger of the two airlines is finally complete.

The deal was consummated yesterday afternoon with the signing of the shareholders agreement in the twin-island republic by Jamaica’s Finance Minister Audley Shaw and his Trinidad counterpart, Winston Dookeran, giving the Jamaica Government 16 percent shares in CAL.

The finalization of the deal gives CAL legal access to all routes operated by Air Jamaica, and also results in CAL becoming the national carrier of Jamaica.

Final agreement for Air Jamaica/ CAL merger signed

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- As the transition period for the merger of Air Jamaica Limited (AJL) and Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) draws to a close, a shareholder's agreement was expected to be signed on Saturday, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Audley Shaw disclosed.

In his Budget Debate presentation in Parliament on Thursday, the finance minister noted that the one-year transition period, which began May 1, 2010, was necessary to ensure that control of AJL's operations was successfully transferred to CAL, while allowing the time necessary for the Trinidad and Tobago-based company to secure the necessary licences and properly integrate the operations.

Dancehall Hero and Role Model

Dancehall Hero and Role Model… a jus suh di ting set - By Teneile Warren

“If you’re expecting me to be a role model to your children you’ve already lost as a parent.”

In winding down his presentation (that was not a lecture) at the University of the West Indies on Thursday March 7 2011 Adidjah Palmer more popularly known as Vybz Kartel uttered the above quote. It was met with thunderous applause by the many who gathered to witness the human colouring book. It was praise well deserved; ‘di teacha’ should be lauded for mastering the art of deflection. At first glance it’s easy for one to “take it to the parents” and verbally scold them for failing at their job. Upon further evaluation a reasonable retort would be- is it unfair of a parent to expect Vybz Kartel to be a role model to their child? Yes. No. Well. Hmm? That’s an interesting question.

Air Jamaica bomb scare a hoax

The bomb scare that led to a US 72-hour ban on cargo from Jamaica may turn out to be a hoax.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, – A probe into a bomb scare that led to a 72-hour ban on cargo flights to the United States this week has revealed that it may have been a hoax.
The update was provided in Parliament yesterday by Minister of Transport Mike Henry who said that was the initial finding, but a full probe is still underway.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau suggest that the report is a hoax, maliciously created to defame an employee of an airport concessionaire,” he said.
“Investigations are continuing to confirm, beyond a doubt, the preliminary findings as well as apprehending those who may be responsible for this disruption to international civil aviation...At the same time, care is being taken to review our security protocols to ensure the maximum safety of aircraft and passengers using our airports.”

Buju seeking acquittal or new trial

Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty last Tuesday of three of four charges. FLORIDA, United States,  – The attorney for reggae singer Buju Banton is seeking either acquittal or a new trial for his client.

In the motion filed in the US District Court, David Oscar Marcus made the request based what he argued was the absence of enough credible evidence to prove the prosecution’s allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, in last month’s trial.

Buju, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was found guilty last Tuesday of three of four charges – conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence. The 12-member jury returned a not guilty verdict on a fourth charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offence.

The Rebirth of Air Jamaica – Everything You Love and More

    It has been a long and winding 40-year journey and now the little piece of Jamaica that flies is back.

 Two strong brands, Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines, are now joined together in one airline to serve Jamaica and the

Caribbean. On January 14, 2011, Caribbean Airlines re-launched the Air Jamaica brand with a ceremony at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport with the arrival of the newest aircraft in the Air Jamaica fleet. This Boeing 737, wrapped in Air Jamaica’s new livery featuring the airline’s iconic signature colors and Doctor Bird paired with the Caribbean Airlines logo and the Hummingbird, presented a vibrant demonstration of this new partnership.

   “As Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines began the transition towards one Caribbean airline, it became clear that even as the outward signs of Air Jamaica were phased out in the marketplace, loyal passengers remained confident in the signature travel experience it delivered,” says George Michael Nicholas III, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Caribbean Airlines Limited. “Caribbean Airlines believes in the brand value of Air Jamaica and we are very excited about revitalizing and reintroducing this historic brand. We are committed to the work ahead to ensure a performance-driven future and to restarting the conversation with our customers to let them know that Air Jamaica is back.”

One Caribbean airline, two brands: How will it work?