CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is advising the public, airlines, aviation stakeholders and the international aviation community that temporary restrictions may be placed on parts of Jamaica’s airspace on Friday.The measures are linked to planned SpaceX Starship Flight 12 operations from Starbase, Texas, which could affect aircraft flying through the Caribbean region.In a statement Friday, the JCAA said the rise in commercial space launches has increased the […]

President of the Senate Tom Tavares-Finson has defended the decision not to table the controversial Integrity Commission report involving the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), insisting that Parliament “will not bow to intimidation or threat” amid mounting criticism from the Opposition.He also defended Speaker of the House Juliet Holness against accusations that she alone was responsible for delaying the report, arguing that the decision was made jointly by Parliament’s presiding […]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has extended its Staff-Monitored Programme with Haiti through June 2027 as rising oil prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East add fresh pressure on a country already battling gang violence, political instability and a seventh straight year of economic contraction.In a statement released Thursday, the IMF said management approved the third review of the arrangement on May 5 and agreed to extend the programme through June 19, 2027, as Haitian […]

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — A hospital in The Netherlands said Friday it had admitted a patient with a "low suspicion" of Ebola, adding that diagnostic results would emerge over the weekend.The patient has been placed in a specialised isolation unit for observation, testing and treatment, according to the Radboud University Hospital.The hospital, located in Nijmegen, in the east of the country, gave no details about the patient or recent travels.Radboud hit the headlines on May 11 when 12 […]

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, United States (AFP) — Elon Musk's SpaceX will attempt another launch of its mammoth Starship rocket Friday, after the previous evening's try was called off over technical issues."Counting down to our second launch attempt," the company posted on X, adding that the weather was 85 per cent favourable for flight during the 90-minute test window that kicks off at 5:30 pm local time (2230 GMT).The highly anticipated launch will see the debut of SpaceX's third-generation model […]

Stationery & Office Supplies Limited (SOS) is intensifying its regional expansion strategy as it increases export shipments across the Caribbean and looks to venture into more markets in the coming years.Managing Director Allan McDaniel, in an interview with Observer Online, said the company exported approximately 12 containers regionally last year and is now targeting 20 containers annually as it seeks to strengthen its Caribbean footprint.“If we can get up to 20 containers a year, then […]

Like many children of entertainers, Richie Malvo was expected to follow in his parents’ footsteps into that industry. It took him some time before he decided to take the plunge and become a recording artiste.Son of singer Anthony Malvo, he made his debut last year with Yes I Love You. The follow-up to that song is Remember Mama, which was released in early May for Mother’s Day.“It’s my second song and it feels great. It feels like I’ve accomplished something great…it was like […]

As anticipation builds around one of dancehall’s most talked-about reunions, Zimi Entertainment has secured a key role in what is expected to be a landmark moment for Jamaican music culture.The entertainment brand has partnered with Reggae Sumfest to stage the official after-party following A Taste of Sumfest, the showcase headlined by dancehall heavyweights Vybz Kartel and Mavado.Set for Sunday, July 19, the premium Zimi Seh Brunch event will run from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm in St Ann and is […]

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The Antigua and Barbuda Government has announced new measures aimed at enhancing public health safety amid concerns regarding the deadly outbreaks of hantavirus, ebola and malaria in several parts of the world.The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Thursday said that following the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that ebola has now become a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), it assesses that the current […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — A member of the MV Hondius cruise ship crew who disembarked in Tenerife and was repatriated to the Netherlands was confirmed Friday as a new hantavirus case, the World Health Organization (WHO) said."Today, the Netherlands confirmed an additional case among a crew member who disembarked in Tenerife, was repatriated to the Netherlands and has been isolating since then," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday, adding that there were […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The public health risk from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been upgraded from high to very high, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.The risk level remains high at the regional level and low worldwide, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.He said there were now nearly 750 suspected cases in the DR Congo and 177 suspected deaths."The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is […]

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Pep Guardiola announced on Friday that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a trophy-laden decade that transformed English football.Guardiola guided City to 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, and won the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.Aston Villa's visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday will be his final match in charge, although he is set to continue working for the City Football Group as a […]

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were among a number of high-profile players left out of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad announced on Friday.Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold was also omitted, with Saudi-based Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney the surprise inclusion.Tuchel, a Champions League winner during his time at Chelsea, was hired to end England's 60-year wait to win a major international tournament.The German former Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss has […]

Jamaican chef Darian Bryan beat a talented field to walk away with top honours on hit American cooking TV show Next Level Chef on Thursday night.Bryan entered the finals of the TV show, which airs on Fox, competing to be named top chef against fellow contestants Connor Caine and Nicole “Cole” Lawson.The three were the finalists out of an initial field of 24, which under the show's premise, consisted of eight home chefs, eight social media chefs and eight professional chefs, all competing […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican football fans will receive extensive free-to-air and coverage of  the FIFA World Cup 2026 courtesy of  a broadcast partnership between IRIS Sport Media, Television Jamaica (TVJ) and Caribbean Premier Sports Ltd (CPSL) / RUSH Limited for the football event.In a statement Thursday, the groups indicated the partnership features a multi-platform broadcast partnership encompassing free to-air television, pay television, streaming and digital platforms.As part of […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to public service and unwavering commitment to the betterment of his community,’ Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southeast United States (US) Oliver Mair, is being awarded an honorary doctoral degree by the University of Fort Lauderdale.The degree, a Doctor of Ministry (Honoris Causa), is to be conferred on May 22 at the Faith Centre Ministries, Sunrise, Florida for ‘exemplary leadership, integrity and dedication to […]

Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green tried to hold firm during his responses to questions posed to him on the witness stand by attorney-at-law, Hugh Wildman on Wednesday during the Home Circuit Court murder trial of six cops.The minister, who is also an attorney, rejected Wildman’s many suggestions that he was not being truthful during his testimony. He insisted that he does not know any of the six cops or any of the three deceased men whose death the police are being tried for, indicating […]

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) —The biggest and most lucrative World Cup ever this summer will also set a record for the most-polluting sporting event in history, environmental experts say."Unlike the case of the Olympic Games, where the carbon footprints have been reducing over the last several editions, this is totally opposite in the case of the FIFA men's World Cup," David Gogishvili, a geographer at the University of Lausanne (Unil), told AFP.The summer's World Cup has been expanded to 48 […]

The risk of the hantavirus to the Jamaican population remains very low, according to local medical experts.The reassurance by the experts comes against the background of global concerns surrounding the outbreak of the virus aboard a Dutch cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, which left three passengers dead and several others severely ill.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of May 13, 2026, 11 cases, including three deaths, had been linked to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius.It […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 53-year-old justice of the peace (JP) has been sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment following her involvement in a multimillion-dollar real estate scam.The accused, Georgia Messam, served as a justice of the peace for Kingston and St Andrew and worked as a paralegal clerk in Village Green, St Ann.She was accused of defrauding a St Catherine businesswoman of more than $27 million during a property transaction.Reports are that between April 2018 and April […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica —Inspectors from the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday gave Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) 30 days to correct drainage issues at Caymanas Park and clear verges of discarded beverage bottles as well as to facilitate a follow-up educational meeting with grooms and their trainers regarding maintenance of sanitary conveniences.Carlton Bernard, facilities manager, Caymanas Park, who accompanied the MOH team on a tour that started in the patrons’ […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica observes Child Month, the Fi We Children Foundation is calling on policymakers, institutions, schools, and community stakeholders to move beyond symbolic participation and ensure that children and young people are meaningfully consulted on policies and decisions that directly affect their lives.In a statement on Thursday, the foundation noted that while children and youth are frequently encouraged to “use their voice,” many national and community level […]

Opposition Spokesman on Sports, Wavell Hinds has blasted the Government for not honouring its commitment to pour J$100 million into an investment fund for the development of youth cricket in Jamaica.The commitment was announced in a news release issued on September 23, 2023 by the Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange.“The Government reinforced this on March 12, 2024, when then Finance Minister Nigel Clarke announced in his budget presentation that J$40 million [of the amount] would be allocated […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Record label VP Records and a corporal in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have thrown their support behind confessed gun smuggler, Taugea 'Countree Hype' Dayes, writing sentencing support letters to federal court judge Roy Altman on behalf of the dancehall producer.A letter penned by Stephen Chin of VP Records was written in the capacity of a six-year business relationship with Dayes."Over the years, I have come to know Mr Dayes as a respectful, hardworking and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston’s nightlife scene is set for an international musical fusion as Belgian mother-daughter DJ duo Brooke x Taliyah prepares to make their highly anticipated Jamaica debut at Club MECA Thursday night.Staged under the theme International Night: Europe Meets Jamaica, the event is being hosted by the Marketplace Entertainment Centre for the Arts (MECA) in association with Main Event Entertainment Group Limited at Club MECA, located at 67 Constant Spring Road in […]