CARIBBEAN

PARIS, France (AFP) — Mosquitoes can learn to associate the smell of the world's most common insect repellent with a tasty meal — and after training can even prefer to bite people who have been sprayed with it, an experimental study said Thursday.The surprising results, which were conducted "under very specific conditions" in the lab, do not "call into question the effectiveness" of the repellent DEET, lead study author Claudio Lazzari told AFP.Since being developed in the 1940s in the […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) announced Thursday that it was allocating an additional US$80 million to help combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.The Trump administration has faced criticism from the Democratic Party and non-governmental organisations over its response to the crisis, which comes after the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump could soon appear on a new US$250 bill in the Republican's latest move to shatter US traditions by putting his personal stamp on national institutions.A proposal for the new bill, featuring a glaring Trump, was reported Thursday by the Washington Post.If carried out, it would be the first time the image of a living person — let alone a president — had appeared on US currency in a century and a half.The design […]

NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP) — A vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus will be ready by the end of the year, the head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said Thursday.The Bundibugyo strain of the virus that has caused a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, said there were already "some candidates" for a vaccine."What we can tell you for sure, by the end of […]

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — Caribbean climatologist Dr Cedric Van Meerbeeck is forecasting a quieter but potentially unpredictable Atlantic hurricane season this year, warning that even a below-average season could still bring devastating storms, dangerous flooding, drought, and extreme heat across the region.Speaking at the 2026 Wet/Hurricane Season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) in The Bahamas, he said the region is likely to experience a strong El Niño pattern, which typically […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) is congratulating Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson on his recent appointment as chief executive officer of the National Road Reconstruction Agency (NaRRA), while urging greater inclusion of local contractors in national infrastructure projects.Anderson’s appointment was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during a special post-Cabinet media briefing in the banquet hall at Jamaica House on Wednesday. Noting […]

For Jevaughn Gordon, being named among Ignite Caribbean’s 30 Under 30 Changemakers is more than an award, it is a reflection of resilience, purpose and the belief that young people from underserved communities can create meaningful change across the region.The young Jamaican communications professional, journalist and youth advocate, who hails from Princess Field in Linstead, said the recognition carries deep personal significance because of the circumstances that shaped his journey.“I come […]

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy's health ministry on Thursday declared a red heatwave alert for the cities of Rome, Florence, Bologna, Brescia and Turin as an unseasonal heatwave sweeps Europe.The red alert, the first of the year in Italy, is issued to warn of "possible negative effects on the health of healthy, active people" and advise the public to stay out of the sun.Outside Rome's Colosseum on Thursday, tourists were struggling to cope with the muggy weather, with temperatures at 32°C."We're […]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil forward Neymar is a doubt for the start of the World Cup after injuring his calf, requiring two to three weeks of treatment, the national team's doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday.The 34-year-old Santos star will miss Brazil's two pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt, but may also be out of their tournament opener against Morocco on June 13.An MRI scan "identified a grade two muscle injury... our expectation is that he will be available […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief pledged to do "everything in my power" to help conquer a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as he headed to the African nation on Thursday.In lengthy message to the Congolese people, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus insisted that "together, we will overcome this outbreak".According to its latest figures up to May 24, the WHO has recorded 10 confirmed and 223 suspected Ebola deaths […]

Jamaican model Romae Gordon continues to cement her return to the global fashion spotlight, starring in a new editorial for Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) showcasing one of this summer’s biggest eyewear trends.The editorial, titled “Heavy Metal Eyewear Trend: From 90s Inspired Shields to Sharp Rectangular Frames”, features Gordon modelling sleek, futuristic looks paired with designer sunglasses from luxury fashion houses including Prada, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren and Gucci.Shot in New York City […]

The Bank of NT Butterfield & Son Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CIBC’s 91.7 per cent stake in CIBC Caribbean Bank Limited in a transaction valued at approximately US$1.8 billion.The acquisition will create a major banking and wealth management platform across international financial centres and key Caribbean markets, with combined assets of roughly US$29 billion. The deal brings together two long-established regional banks with the aim of strengthening scale, […]

NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — The Principal of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), Dr David Farrell, on Wednesday warned the region to brace for higher energy costs as it faces the threat of extreme heat during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June.Farrell said drought conditions and excessive heat linked to the climate phenomenon El Niño are expected to intensify by the end of the year.Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Wet and Hurricane Season […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A low-level jetstream across the central Caribbean has been generating very strong winds across Jamaica since Tuesday, with forecasters warning that hazardous conditions are expected to persist into the weekend.According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the strongest effects are likely to be felt across southern parishes and offshore marine areas, where gusty winds and rough seas have already begun impacting conditions.The agency said the strong winds are expected […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shot putters Shaiquan Dunn of the University of Texas and Kobe Lawrence of the University of Oregon, as well as long jumper Jordan Turner of Louisiana State, all booked their tickets to the NCAA National Outdoor Championships after Wednesday’s first day of the regionals.Dunn threw a personal best 18.81m to placed ninth in the shot put, while despite one of his shortest throws of the season, Lawrence, who only managed 18.69m, snatched the final place from the West […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Businessman Jason Russell will continue in his role as head of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce for another year.He was reelected unopposed at the entity's annual general meeting held at the University of the West Indies-Western Jamaica Campus on Wednesday evening.Russell was first elected last year, succeding former president, Oral Heaven, who did not seek reelection.Russell was praised for his "down to earth leadership style" and his leadership following the passage […]

Jetour Jamaica officially marked its arrival on the local automotive landscape on Sunday with a grand launch event at its Mary Brown’s Corner showroom in St Andrew, unveiling six new models as part of its expanding suite of motor vehicle offerings.Business stakeholders, loyal customers, automotive enthusiasts, Government ministers, Opposition spokespersons, members of the media and other invited guests gathered at the facility to witness the official introduction of the internationally […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two technicians sustained burn injuries following an explosion at a KFC restaurant in downtown Kingston earlier Wednesday, according to Operations Manager Christopher Powell.In a statement issued following the incident, Powell said the company’s immediate priority was the safety and wellbeing of its employees, customers and all individuals at the location.“Earlier today there was an incident involving an explosion at one of our KFC restaurants in downtown Kingston. Our […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — A St James man accused of murdering his American wife who was in the country celebrating her birthday, appeared in court without a lawyer or obvious family support on Wednesday.When Dane Watson, 31 appeared in court he was asked whether he had retained an attorney. Watson shared that family members had been in dialogue with a lawyer and provided the attorney’s name. However, no relatives were present in court, and the attorney’s name was not listed on the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rising reggae/dancehall artiste Firgo Diamond is making a bold statement with his new single “Big Shark,” a socially conscious track confronting greed, betrayal, poverty, and the struggles faced by everyday people.Produced by legendary reggae producer Computer Paul and executive produced by Mark “Feedo” Baines, the song blends spiritual reflection with sharp social commentary, delivering a message rooted in truth, survival, and awareness.“The song was inspired […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Motorists should see an increase at the pumps in the price of gasoline effective Thursday, May 28, according to the latest ex-refinery costs from Petrojam.90-octane will be sold for $201.58 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, while 87-octane will be sold for $194.13, down $0.25.Automotive diesel fuel will be sold for $201.75 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, and ultra-low sulphur diesel will be sold for $208.60 per litre, down $0.25.Kerosene increased by $0.25 and will […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Thursday, May 27, ended trading at $158.08, up 18 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canada dollar ended trading $114.39, down from $114.53, and the British pound at $212.33, up from $212.30.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz qualified for back- to- back finals in the 2026 Unity Cup after beating debutants India 2-0 in their semi-final played at the Valley, the home of Charlton Athletics, in London on Wednesday.In Saturday’s final Jamaica will play defending champions Nigeria who had beaten Zimbabwe by the same scoreline on Tuesday.Jamaica lost in the finals to Nigeria in 2022 and 2025.On Wednesday, Courtney Clarke scored on his debut, firing Jamaica ahead in the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Security company Beryllium says its operational facilities remain unaffected following an explosion and fire at a nearby garage facility on Wednesday morning.In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the company clarified that the incident occurred at a garage located adjacent to its compound on South Camp Road in Kingston.According to Beryllium, the explosion and subsequent blaze involved a vehicle on the garage property. Four people were injured and taken to hospital […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is to intensify traffic enforcement operations across the parish, to reduce fatalities and indiscipline on the roads.Operations Officer for the division, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jordaine Allen, said the increased operations will form part of the division’s broader strategy to improve public safety and maintain order across Westmoreland.He was addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland […]