CARIBBEAN

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Leoda Bradshaw is now expected to stand trial for the alleged murder of parliamentarian Phillip Paulwell’s 10-month-old daughter Serayah Paulwell and the child’s mother, 27-year-old Toshyna Patterson, after plea bargain negotiations collapsed on Thursday in the Supreme Court. The breakdown in discussions clears the way for the high-profile case to proceed, with a plea and case management hearing set for June 24 that could determine, among other things, a trial […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A man was arrested in connection to the seizure of a firearm and several rounds of ammunition during a police operation on Sandy Park Road in Kingston 6 on Wednesday, June 10.The identity of the man is being withheld pending further investigations.Reports are that the team conducted a search of the premises, during which a 9mm pistol, two magazines, and thirteen 9mm rounds of ammunition were found.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AFP)—Ivory Coast and Senegal home-based fans have been denied visas to the United States, dashing their hopes of following their teams at the World Cup.The president of the Ivory Coast national supporters' committee and an official from the Senegalese sports ministry told AFP that their supporters would be devastated."The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against Cuba's key state-owned oil company, intensifying pressure on the island nation's energy sector that has crippled the country."Today, I am designating Cuba's state-owned oil and gas company Union Cuba-Petroleo (CUPET), key assets of which were unlawfully expropriated from American owners years ago," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.The move bars companies and individuals associated […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan says the recent move by Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Chairman Andrew Swaby to increase divisional allocation fund provisions confirms that the mayor can do more to address parish council roads.The KSAMC announced that allocations will move from $10 million to $13 million for urban divisions, and to $13.5 million for rural divisions.Minister Morgan in a statement said the […]

PARIS, France (AFP)—The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday the return of El Nino: the warm phase of a natural climate cycle linked to higher global temperatures and wild weather.The seesawing shift in ocean temperatures and winds forms across the tropical Pacific Ocean but can influence drought, floods, and other extremes thousands of miles away.Scientists caution that every El Nino is different and strong events like that forecast this year do not guarantee […]

Arguably the most vilified person in history, Judas Iscariot earned infamy as the man who betrayed Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver. His name is synonymous with disloyalty.In her book, Learning From Judas, Paloma Price gives new perspective on Judas, one of Christ’s 12 Disciples, whose misdeeds led to his master being crucified.Learning From Judas, which took the first-time author three years to complete, was released in April.“The book explores Judas not as a distant Biblical figure, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A licensed firearm holder who was the main suspect in a murder investigation has been found dead in Brown’s Town, St Ann with what investigators theorise was a self-inflicted wound.The man has been identified as 50-year-old Maurice Alphanso Fennel, of a Cambridge, St James address.Observer Online sources say Fennel was being investigated by the Manchester Division for the murder of a missing female he was believed to be involved in a relationship with.He reportedly […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) is urging Jamaicans to become regular voluntary blood donors and join the global observance of World Blood Donor Day on Sunday, June 14, 2026, by helping to replenish the nation's blood supply.With hospitals experiencing a growing demand for blood to support emergency care and life-saving medical procedures, SERHA is encouraging members of the public to donate blood and help ensure that patients receive the critical care […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica —The body of 40-year-old Kedecia Mcleod, who had been reported as missing since Tuesday, was found in Pepper, St Elizabeth on Thursday morning.The body was reportedly found by passersby.Scores of residents have since converged on the scene.A missing person’s report said McLeod was last seen leaving work at about 1:11 pm on Tuesday wearing a white blouse, a grey sweater, brown pants and a pair of white slippers.(Video: Kasey Williams)

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kickstart on Thursday, Google has reconfigured its search engine to provide football fans worldwide with answers for real-time queries, statistics and analytics through its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Gemini.According to a report by Wired, the AI tool will also allow fans to create songs, memes, cartoons, and other visual content to encourage social media interaction during and after each match.This move follows a partnership between Google and […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica— Police in St Elizabeth say the decomposing body of a 64-year-old man was found in Holt district near Santa Cruz on Wednesday morning, three days after he was reportedly last seen alive.Police identified him as Alton Channer, 64, a resident of Holt district.A police report said about 10:00 am, Channer’s body was found by a relative after residents raised an alarm due to a foul odour coming from his house.Police said Channer lived alone and was last seen alive on Sunday […]

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AFP)—Towhid Hridoy hit an unbeaten 40 as Bangladesh won the second one-day international by five wickets on Thursday to clinch their first-ever series win against Australia in the 50-over format.Chasing a DLS revised victory target of 192 in 41 overs in a rain-hit match, Bangladesh eased home with 36 balls to spare in Dhaka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Australia posted 187-8 in 42 overs with their innings cut short and ended by rain after […]

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (APF) — The World Cup kicks off Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching a sprawling tournament of 48 teams that will last nearly six weeks.The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19.It is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.But football's world governing body FIFA has […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Kobe Lawrence of the University of Oregon repeated his fourth place finish in the men’s shot put as the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor track and field Championships got underway at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday.Lawrence threw a season’s best 19.87m for the second straight year as his teammate Ben Smith won the title with a personal best and collegiate lead of 21.04m.Shaiquan Dunn of the University of Texas threw 17.99m and finished in 18th position.Jordan Turner […]

Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government and Participatory Democracy, Natalie Neita Garvey, wants municipal corporations to be empowered to borrow in order to be better able to fulfill their mandates.Neita Garvey is advocating for what she calls “responsible municipal borrowing and investment”.She addressed the issue on Wednesday during her contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.“Municipal empowerment does not mean financial recklessness. No one is […]

PARIS, France (AFP)—Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, was on Thursday named to officiate UEFA's Super Cup, European football's governing body announced.UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin poured praise on the Somali referee in a statement released a few hours before global body FIFA's flagship World Cup was to start."Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Outgoing Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles says serving his country through the central bank has been among the most satisfying experiences of his life."It was a great honour to serve Jamaica through the Bank of Jamaica, just as much as it was an honor to co-chair EPOC (Economic Programme Oversight Committee). Helping Jamaica is the most satisfying thing that I've done in my life. Although I have spent nearly two decades in the private sector, working for the government […]

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC)—The British Virgin Islands has announced plans to remove visa requirements for work permit holders in the coming weeks as part of efforts to improve the territory’s investment climate and help businesses fill vacancies more quickly.The country's Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced the move during his 2026 State of the Territory Address earlier this week, describing it as one of several reforms expected to support economic growth and improve the ease […]

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Serena Williams' bid to win the Queen's Club doubles title on her return to tennis came to a premature end on Thursday after the American legend's partner Victoria Mboko was forced to withdraw from the tournament.Williams sensationally returned to action on Tuesday for the first time in four years, partnering with Mboko for a straight sets victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe in the first round.The pair were due to play Leylah Fernandez and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ja'Kobe Tharp produced a record- breaking performance on Wednesday, running 12.75 seconds (+1.0m/s) to break the men's 110m hurdles world record at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.The Auburn athlete stunned the athletics world with the historic run, which came in the preliminary round rather than the final.Tharp crossed the line in an incredible 12.75 seconds, lowering the previous world record and booking his place in the final.He will return for the final […]

Lutec Electronics has launched its new intelligent door lock system in Jamaica, offering homeowners enhanced security and greater control over property access as it aims to position itself at the forefront of growing demand for smart home technology locally and in the region.Lutec’s Sentinel Intelligent Door Locks feature advanced biometric and remote access systems for enhanced security and convenience, eliminating the need for a traditional key.“Your home must be as intelligent as you, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chain of Hope is celebrating 30 years of transforming the lives of children with heart disease in Jamaica with a special anniversary medical mission to Bustamante Hospital for Children from June 8 to 15.Led by paediatric cardiac surgeon Professor Victor Tsang, the volunteer team of surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, intensive care specialists, nurses and perfusionists will perform life-saving open-heart surgery on eight to 10 Jamaican children with complex heart […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Manchester police have released a composite sketch of two men who are wanted in connection with a murder in Dobson, Coleyville, Manchester, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.Dead is Ceejay Mongal, otherwise called ‘Indian,’ a labourer of Dobson, Coleyville in Manchester.According to police reports, about 5:00 am, Mongal was attacked and fatally chopped by three men.Subsequent investigations led to one man surrendering to the police, and he is currently before the court. […]