Jamaica Gleaner

• Excitement as MUJ St Catherine to be crowned

  The first Miss Universe Jamaica St Catherine will be crowned on Thursday at the HEART College of Construction Services in Portmore, and the organisers say that the seven contestants are “more than ready to compete”.
  “The level of training they have been exposed to has been intense,” chief organiser, Janique McKenzie told The Gleaner. “Through the support of our fitness sponsor, Classic Body Fitness Center, the ladies have received comprehensive fitness training, along with coaching in walk and poise.

• Dream Weekend 2026: New city, new chapter, same energy

  After 16 years of creating summer memories in Negril, Dream Weekend is set to make history as the highly anticipated 17th staging will take over the sandy shores of Montego Bay from July 30-August 3.

• Music industry mourns death of Clive Davis

  AP:
  Music artistes mourned the death of Clive Davis, one of the industry's most powerful figures who launched or resurrected the careers of artistes ranging from Whitney Houston to Carlos Santana.
  Davis, 94, died Monday in his Manhattan apartment. A statement from the family says Davis “discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artistes in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations”.

• Singer Joseph Velvet bets on 'Evermore' 

  For reggae singer Joseph Velvet, perseverance has never been just the title of an album. It has been the defining theme of his life.
  
  Now, the vocalist is hoping that Evermore, a newly reimagined version of a song from his Perseverance album, will introduce his music to a new generation of listeners while reminding long-time fans of the talent that first captivated reggae audiences decades ago. Originally recorded with strong R&B influences, the song has been reborn as a full-fledged reggae production.

• Finalist out of Festival Song Competition vows to return - It was a nice opportunity from JCDC, says Renegad

  The number of competitors in the 2026 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival Song Competition has been reduced to nine following the removal from the line-up of one of the finalists, Junior ‘Renegad’ McCalla.  And, while McCalla and his team are disappointed, they have taken responsibility for what led to their non-participation and say they remain “fully motivated”.