CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Senator Dr Maziki Thame ripped into Government Senators on Friday as she accused the Jamaica Labour Party Government of frequently displaying “autocratic tendencies”, while disregarding the rights of Jamaicans.Thame lashed out during her contribution to the debate on the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill, which was eventually passed along party lines.NaRRA is the body established by the Government to lead the reconstruction […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Marlon Morgan has described as a “zero-sum game” and “a scorched earth strategy”, the approach of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) to the establishment of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).Morgan levelled the accusation on Friday as the Senate debated and passed the NaRRA Bill that will allow for the setting up of the authority that is tasked with rebuilding large swathes of the country following the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) has the potential to be one of the largest employment programmes in Jamaica’s modern history, according to Government Senator Kavan Gayle.Gayle, who is also President General of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), made the observation in the Senate on Friday during his contribution to the debate on the NaRRA Bill.NaRRA is the entity established by the Government to drive reconstruction efforts […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) continues to report double digit reductions in road fatalities five months into the year.According to the latest statistics released by the ITA on Friday, 26 people were killed in 22 fatal crashes during  the month of April. This shows a 16 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 15 per cent decline in fatal crashes when compared to April 2025.During the month, pedestrian fatalities were down 27 per cent; however, private motor vehicle […]

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester City kept their slender Premier League title hopes alive as Jeremy Doku inspired a 3-0 win against Brentford on Saturday.Pep Guardiola's side struggled to prise open Brentford for almost an hour at the Etihad Stadium.But Doku's latest dazzling strike broke the deadlock before Erling Haaland bagged his 26th league goal this season.Omar Marmoush wrapped up an essential City victory in stoppage-time.City closed to two points behind leaders Arsenal, […]

TORONTO, Canada (CMC) – The Government of Canada said on Friday that its Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in Toronto, where the leaders emphasised the “strong” ties between Canada and Guyana.The Canadian Government said this is strengthened by over 100,000 Canadians of Guyanese ancestry.It noted in a statement that Guyana is one of Canada’s largest trading partners among the Caribbean Community (Caricom).“The leaders discussed […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A person who jumped a perimeter fence and was hit by an airplane taking off from Denver International Airport died in the incident, the airport said Saturday.Frontier Airlines Flight 4345 aborted takeoff after hitting the person at about 11:19 pm Friday night (0519 GMT Saturday), the airport said."DEN can confirm that the pedestrian jumped the perimeter fence and was hit just two minutes later while crossing the runway," the statement said."The pedestrian is […]

In terms of music, 1976 was a landmark year for reggae. It saw the release of outstanding albums by Bob Marley and The Wailers (Rastaman Vibration), Bunny Wailer (Blackheart Man) and Peter Tosh (Legalize It).The self-titled album by Third World was also released in 1976. Released three years after the band formed in Kingston, it was the most eclectic of what are regarded as four of reggae’s greatest works.Third World performs at ‘To Mom With Love’ on May 10 at the AC Hotel in Kingston, […]

GRANADILLA DE ABONA, Spain (AFP) — Speaking to reporters in Madrid, Spain's health and interior ministers insisted there would be "no contact" with the local population.Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska said the operation would be swift, with passengers leaving "by nationality groups".After being examined on board, they will be taken on smaller boats and transferred by bus to the airport. There, they will be flown back to their home countries, including to the United States, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Classrooms at Southborough Primary and Independence City Primary in St Catherine were filled with storytelling, laughter, and lively discussion on Tuesday as Pizza Hut Jamaica joined in the celebration of Read Across Jamaica Day through interactive reading sessions designed to make reading engaging and enjoyable for students.This year’s Read Across Jamaica Day activities were held in support of the 2026 Child Month theme, ‘Prioritise Our Children’s Mental Health: […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall artiste Caboowie is expressing concern about the frequent incidents of violence among school children.“You see how the children are fighting and misbehaving themselves in the schools and on the streets? Too much negative music is influencing them. They need positive messages and songs that can inspire them,” he decried in an interview with Observer Online recently.“Too much negativity has influenced these children overtime. It’s time that we call a […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- A policeman is nursing a broken leg after he was involved in a motorcycle crash on Friday.It is understood that the crash happened about 2:15pm while the police constable, assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Division, was participating in an escort of American social media star IShowSpeed along Spanish Town Road in Kingston.Reports are that the policeman was traveling aboard his service motorcycle when a blue Honda Fit overtook the bike before stopping abruptly, resulting […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Newly appointed chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Ryan Parkes is challenging educators to play a pivotal role in positioning tourism education as a stand alone industry. How well Jamaica trains its people, he said, will have a significant impact on the country’s future competitiveness in the global tourism market.Parkes’s comments came as he addressed a Teachers’ Day luncheon hosted by St James East Central Member of Parliament Edmund Bartlett at the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Fusion rapper Natalia Iñspiration is ecstatic about the early reaction to her latest single, 'My Love' featuring United Kingdom (UK)- based balladeer Kenn Willis.The song, an ode to love, is elevated by Natalia Iñspiration's smooth rapping style delivered on a bouncy, hip-hop flavoured beat."Kenn Willis actually wrote that song before he met me, but he didn't complete it. He wanted another artiste to collaborate with, so one night, while we were on a voice call, he […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — There were dramatic scenes in Mandeville on Friday night as police fatally shot two alleged gunmen and seized two firearms in a reported confrontation consisting of a running gun battle and high speed chase from the southern end of the town.People were sent scampering for cover at multiple locations as police gave chase to a Toyota Axio from Newleigh Road to Manchester Road where the shooting subsided near Willowgate plaza where a bystander was reportedly grazed by a […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James police are now investigating the shooting death of a woman on Saturday morning.The woman, whose identity has not yet been ascertained, was shot and killed by an unknown assailant as she exited a Toyota Voxy bus she had just driven into the People's Arcade about 6:30 am.Reports are that the woman had come to collect a cart that was used to sell soup when she was pounced upon by the shooter, said to be a male.The police were soon contacted and crime scene […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — American streamer IShowSpeed’s livestream from Kingston, Jamaica on Friday amassed more than 2.8 million views, with a peak of 194,805 live viewers.The broadcast also generated 696,349 live chat messages and brought in 34,692 new subscribers.His cameraman shared the numbers via X on Friday, shortly after the stream, with the caption: “Good stream”.As part of the Jamaican leg of his Caribbean tour, the streamer visited several iconic locations across Kingston, […]

TOKYO, Japan (AFP)—Japanese gaming giant Nintendo said Friday it will hike the price of its Switch 2 gaming console as memory chip costs soar, warning that net profit would fall 27 percent this year.Sony -- whose PlayStation5 has already risen in price -- was more upbeat, projecting a 13-percent rise in income but still with falling sales of its ageing console.Nintendo said the Switch 2 price in Japan will rise 20 percent from May 25, and from September 1 by 11 percent in the United States to […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The controversial National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill was passed in the Senate at 8:14 pm Friday after a sitting that lasted approximately 10 hours.The Bill, which was piloted by the Minister of Education and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon now awaits the governor general’s signature before it is gazetted as the law of the land.NaRRA is the body set up by the Government to lead reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police shot and killed two men in an alleged confrontation and seized a firearm on Manchester Road near Willowgate in Mandeville on Friday.Preliminary reports are that about 8:00 pm police tracked a Toyota Axio along Manchester Road and intercepted the vehicle when a gun battle reportedly ensued.Scores of people were sent scampering when the shots rang out.Personnel assigned to the Area Three Fugitive Apprehension Team are among the police teams on the scene.— Kasey […]

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The demise of ultra low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is expected to add further upward pressure to United States (US) fares, according to experts.Launched in 1992, the company is responsible for the "Spirit Effect" in which bare-bones service opens up travel to a broader slate of customers otherwise priced out of the market.Spirit's business model of stripped-down travel that includes no free meal service, baggage transport or other extras played a "unique and […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) military said on Friday it had struck another boat alleged to be trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people and leaving one survivor.The latest strike — which follows dozens of similar attacks in recent months — bring the US campaign's death toll to at least 189, according to an AFP tally.US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said one person survived the strike, without specifying their condition, adding that the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Teachers at Jamaica House Basic School received a heartwarming surprise on Teachers’ Day as Pork Store & More by CB Foods hosted a special community giveback initiative to recognise educators for their contribution to shaping Jamaica’s future.The appreciation event celebrated the role teachers play in nurturing and developing future leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs. During the pop-up initiative, educators were presented with Caribbean Passion smoked meat […]

BOGOTÁ, Colombia(AFP)—A 25-year-old Colombian journalist was found dead on Friday in a restive northwestern region where guerrillas, drug traffickers and illegal gold miners are active, President Gustavo Petro said.Mateo Perez went missing on Tuesday while he was working in a rural part of Antioquia department about five hours' drive north of Medellin in the run-up to the presidential election on May 31.His body was found in an area where dissident members of the defunct guerrilla group FARC […]

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — The 2026 World Cup will feature a trilogy of opening ceremonies, with each of the host countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada — getting its turn at a star-studded celebration.Global music stars including Katy Perry, Future, Alanis Morissette, Michael Buble, J Balvin and Lisa will feature, world governing body FIFA confirmed on Friday.Mexico will get the party started, 90 minutes before the kickoff of the tournament's first match between Mexico and […]