CARIBBEAN

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Double defending champions Manchester High made a winning start to the Inter- secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Rural Area Basketball competition after beating Munro College in both sections, Under-16 and Under- 19 at Manchester High on Monday as the competition resumes.The start of the competition was pushed back almost a month due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa in late October.St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) also had a double win over […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Royalton Hotels & Resorts has confirmed new reopening dates for its Jamaican properties, with Royalton Negril, Royalton Hideaway Negril and Grand Lido Negril now set to reopen on August 25, 2026.Revised dates for Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters will follow pending further assessments.According to a news release, the company says it remains committed to Jamaica as recovery continues following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.In the weeks after the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Poultry farmer, Nadisha Simmonds-Small, has expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining’s plan to rebuild the poultry sector, which sustained extensive damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.Portfolio Minister, Floyd Green, toured several farms in Bonnet district in Guys Hill, St Catherine, on Thursday, where he saw the extent of the damage from the hurricane, and how farmers have begun to replant and rebuild their […]

MONROVIA, Liberia (AFP) — Some of the world's best-known chocolate, from Mars to KitKat, is likely linked to deforestation in Liberia's rainforest despite many brands' claims of sustainability, according to research published by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Global Witness Tuesday.Liberia is home to the largest remaining stretch of the Upper Guinean rainforest and multiple endangered species such as chimpanzees and forest elephants, according to the group.Between 2021 and 2024 Liberia […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Communication and International Relations Manager at the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), Bobique Brown, says the agency remains committed to supporting data controllers impacted by Hurricane Melissa, as the new registration period approaches.Brown informed JIS News that the OIC stands ready to provide guidance on temporary safeguards and practical measures to maintain acceptable levels of data protection for personal data during the difficult conditions ahead […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 48-hour curfew has been imposed on a section of Waltham Park, Kingston 11.The curfew began at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 23, and will remain in effect until 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 25.The boundaries are as follows:North: Along Cortina Avenue from the intersection of Waltham Park Road to the intersection of Woodham Crescent and Verbena Avenue.South:  Along Yap Clos, from the intersection of Waltham Park Road to a section of Woodham Crescent.East: Along Waltham Park […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Health Fund (NHF) says all NHFCard Centres across the island are open and prepared to assist Jamaicans who misplaced their NHFCards during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.In a statement on Monday, the NHF urged individuals needing a replacement card to visit any open centre and speak with a representative to obtain a new one. All locations are currently operational and ready to provide support.Members of the public may visit any of the following NHFCard […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, November 24, ended trading $161.05, down 60 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at $115.49 up from $114.95 and the British pound ended at $212.85 up from $210.75.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former Prime Minister P J Patterson has expressed profound sadness at the passing of reggae legend James Chambers, better known as Jimmy Cliff, remembering him as a transformative force in Jamaican culture.In a statement on Monday, Patterson described Cliff, recipient of the Order of Merit in 2003, as an “iconic pioneer” whose artistry elevated Jamaican music to global renown.“Jimmy Cliff was more than a musician; he was a cultural architect who helped build the […]

Jamaican music producer and recording artiste Rvssian continues to bear gifts as his 2024 hit collaboration Santa featuring Rauw Alejandro and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, has hit a new milestone.Two weeks ago, the song was certified gold in France, for the sales and streaming equivalent of more than 100,000 units.In an interview earlier this year with the Observer Online, Rvssian commented on the song's commercial success and previous Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former St Andrew High 400m/400m hurdler Michka Hyde broke the Jamaican national record in the women’s Marathon after she completed the 26.2 miles distance at Sunday’s American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Philadelphia Marathon in 2:35.28 minutes.Hyde, who was running the distance competitively for the first time, beat the previous Jamaican record 3:08.47 minutes done by Jill Vincent at the Negril Marathon in Negril in 2000.The 24-year -old, who also […]

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Monday urged the public to be cautious after a 39-year-old man appeared in a magistrate’s court charged with three offences under the Medical Board Act.The TTPS said that Timothy Malchan was charged with using medical titles and descriptions whilst not registered, assuming the title of doctor whilst not registered and diagnosing human ailments whilst not registered.Malchan appeared before Magistrate Ali at the […]

PARIS, France (AFP) — Those tiny, fluffy dogs walking down the street may look cute but beware -- they probably have some wolf in them.That is the discovery announced on Monday by US scientists, who were surprised to find that nearly two-thirds of all dog breeds have a detectable amount of wolf DNA.And it is not genetic leftovers from when dogs originally evolved from wolves around 20,000 years ago, but instead suggests that domesticated dogs and wild wolves have interbred within the last few […]

In many ways, Jimmy Cliff was similar to Ivan, the ambitious character he played in The Harder They Come, the 1972 movie that made him a superstar.They were both from rural Jamaica who moved to Kingston with dreams of making it big in the music business. While Ivan had a hit song, his life evolved into crime which resulted in his death. Cliff, the youth from Somerton, St James kept a clean sheet and became a global force.He died on November 24 at age 81."He came from very humble beginnings. My […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — People struggling with feelings of stress and anxiety in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa are being urged to limit their exposure to excessive news about the destruction, including social media content, to safeguard their mental well-being.Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Kevin Goulbourne, says that the impact of the hurricane has been devastating, with loss of lives, property and livelihoods and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly chopping a woman and then calling the police on Saturday.Charged is 20-year-old Kevin Williams of Second Avenue, Vineyard Town, Kingston 3.Dead is 58-year-old Rosemarie Samuels of the same address.Reports from the police are that at about 9:00 pm, Williams and a woman had a dispute during which he left and returned with an axe.He reportedly used the instrument to chop the woman to the back of her neck then […]

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad Police say they have recovered a handwritten note and a bottle of herbicide at the home of local government councillor Romona Victor, who was found dead along with her husband Rodney Ramsumair on Sunday.The authorities said that they had also recovered two cellphones and an Apple iPad, and autopsies are expected to be performed this week to confirm the cause of death.The bodies of the 36-year-old member of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) and […]

Although she resides in Rhode Island in the United States, Dena ‘DJ Brownin’ Morrison has a special place in her heart for Jamaica.Having visited the island on numerous occasions and gotten involved in charity efforts in various communities including West Kingston, Morrison has forged relationships with entertainment personalities and residents.When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, Morrison knew she had to do something meaningful for the residents who were affected. She quickly […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has activated the host school initiative to assist students whose institutions have been severely damaged and not yet reopened following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28.Portfolio Minister, Senator Dana Morris Dixon, provided an update on the initiative while making a Ministerial statement on the impact and response to Hurricane Melissa during a sitting of the Senate on November 21.“To ensure learning […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has been named in Jamaica’s team for this weekend’s opening Concacaf qualifier for the FIFA women’s World Cup against Dominica at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.Shaw last represented Jamaica in a two-match friendly series against South Africa in Montego Bay in December, where she scored a second half brace as Jamaica won the first game 3-0 in her first appearance for the team in over a year.The Jamaican women […]

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The BBC on Monday formally launched its search for a new chief following the resignation of Tim Davie over a misleading edit of Donald Trump that sparked a row with the US president.The British broadcaster has apologised for the edit, which gave the impression Donald Trump had urged violent action ahead of the 2021 assault on the US Capitol.Trump has threatened a $5 billion lawsuit over the case. The BBC has rejected his demands for compensation.Director General […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Advocacy Organisation Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) says it applauds the recent decision by Jamaica College (JC) to revise its hair grooming policy, describing it as a meaningful step toward dismantling discriminatory practices rooted in Jamaica’s colonial past.“What is it that stops an African-Jamaican student from growing his hair, while his Caucasian or Asian classmate can? I simply cannot understand that justification. To me, this is a colonial vestige that is […]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) —Venezuela on Monday rejected the US terrorist designation of an alleged drug cartel on its territory as a "ridiculous lie" aimed at paving the way for an "illegitimate" United States (US) military intervention.Over the past two months, President Donald Trump has progressively ramped up pressure on his leftist Venezuelan arch-foe, President Nicolas Maduro.The US has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier and other military forces to waters near Venezuela as […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The man accused of the brutal murder of veteran journalist Barbara Gayle will return to court on February 4 next year to answer to the charges.The case was adjourned on Monday due to an outstanding psychological report for the accused, Travis Ellis.Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty for Ellis if he is found guilty.Gayle was found dead at her home in the gated community of Caymanas Country Club Estate in St Catherine on December 17. Her body had […]

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) — Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi says Mason Greenwood "paid dearly" after being accused of sexual assault, as the forward prepares to face English opposition for the first time since the allegations this week.OM host Newcastle in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Greenwood expected to start.He was suspended by former club Manchester United in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault but prosecutors dropped charges in February […]