CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Satellite internet provider Starlink has increased the monthly price of its residential internet service in Jamaica to $7,450 from $7,000, marking a 6.4 per cent increase that will take effect from June 18.In an email sent to customers, the company said the higher rate would apply “beginning with your next billing cycle on or after June 18”.Starlink said the increase comes as it continues expanding network capacity, coverage and reliability to meet growing demand for […]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) -- Brazil superstar Neymar was handed a dramatic recall to the country's World Cup squad on Monday, returning to the national team after a near three-year absence.The inclusion of Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was the biggest surprise in the 26-man squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti.Ancelotti announced Neymar's selection at a gala ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, with loud cheers ringing out as the veteran attacker's […]

INGLEWOOD, United States (AFP) — Workers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium vowed Monday to go on strike if federal immigration enforcement agents are deployed at the venue when it hosts World Cup matches next month.The UNITE HERE Local 11, representing around 2,000 hospitality employees, is demanding federal guarantees that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be used in any of the eight World Cup matches scheduled to take place at the stadium.Workers at the world's most expensive […]

Jamaican producer and JUNAVILL Records founder Collin “JUNA-VILL” Clarke is continuing his mission of creating meaningful reggae music with the upcoming release of the Di Regulator rhythm, a culturally driven compilation set for worldwide release on May 22.Built around themes of order, awareness, discipline, and cultural responsibility, the project reflects Clarke’s ongoing commitment to preserving the essence of reggae while expanding its global reach.“The title represents order, […]

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping Monday expressed “serious concern” at the continued hostilities in the Middle East, marked by military action in the Strait of Hormuz.“Caricom is alarmed by the severe loss of life, threats to civil infrastructure, and the instability in global markets that have resulted from the ongoing conflict,” the grouping said in a statement.United States (US) President Donald Trump has warned Iran the “clock is […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, May 18, ended trading at $158.55, down 47 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at $115.83, up from $115.78, and the British pound at $213.34, up from $213.08.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Pep Guardiola is set to bring his trophy-laden decade in charge of Manchester City to an end this weekend, according to multiple reports on Monday.Guardiola, 55, has won six Premier League titles and City's first Champions League title among 20 trophies since arriving in England in 2016.He could add one more to his tally if City win their final two matches of the season against Bournemouth and Aston Villa and Arsenal fail to beat Crystal Palace on Sunday's […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall and Reggae stars Yaksta and Bellwetha have released a very controversial collaborative effort entitled Farmer and Banger, which has many musical pundits talking.In the track, Bellwetha is presented as the "banger," while Yaksta is presented as the "farmer."This oxymoron creates a very entertaining track, which is quickly captivating the underground dancehall scene. According to Bellwetha, he has no problem with controversy."Music is art and art imitates life […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Human rights organisation Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is raising questions about the proportionate use of force following the killing of Latoya Bulgin, known as “Buju,” by a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in Granville, St James, on Sunday.In a statement on Monday, JFJ noted it has reviewed the widely circulated videos and CCTV footage of the incident and said while the full facts must be allowed to emerge through a thorough and independent investigation, the […]

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Arsenal are on the brink of ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League after beating Burnley 1-0 on Monday to open up a five-point lead at the top.Kai Havertz headed in the only goal but was also lucky to avoid a second-half red card that could have swung the title race back in Manchester City's favour.The Gunners could be crowned champions as early as Tuesday should City fail to win at Bournemouth.Even if City do end the Cherries' 16-game unbeaten run and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Nesta Morgan, has expressed disappointment at what he says are contradictory and misleading statements made by Mayor of Kingston and Chairman of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Andrew Swaby, regarding the establishment of the One Road Authority.Morgan described as “factually misleading” a May 13 statement made by Swaby at a KSAMC, where he claimed: “It is still not clear how the establishment of […]

Dancehall King Vybz Kartel emerged the big winner at the 2026 staging of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), which took place on Sunday night at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Lauderhill, Florida.The event recognises and honours entertainers from reggae, dancehall, Latin, Caribbean and Africa.Vybz Kartel won nine awards, including two shared wins.Among his awards were Entertainer of the Year, Recording Artiste of the Year and Album of the Year for Heart and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches (JUGC) is decrying what it says is the shameful treatment of the body of Latoya Bulgin by lawmen over the weekend after she was shot and killed by police.In a statement on Monday, the organisation noted that it was deeply grieved by the fatal police shooting, which took place in Granville, St James on Sunday citing security footage reportedly of the incident which has been circulating online.“What the footage appears to show is not […]

 Despite growing unrest by public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators over the government’s unfulfilled promise to apply an outstanding 16 per cent fare increase, the government on Monday has requested a two-week extension to finalise its decision, promising a response by June 1.Speaking at a press conference at the Transport Centre in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz announced that his ministry will return to the Cabinet later today to discuss the issue.“I am happy to […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Anthony Hylton, the Opposition spokesman on trade, industry and global logistics, is calling on the Government to immediately provide an account of all hurricane-donated goods that remain uncollected at ports and cargo facilities.Hylton's call follows an Auditor General’s Department report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, which revealed that after receiving $1.44 billion in donations by February 23, 2026, to assist Jamaicans devastated by Hurricane Melissa, the Office of […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has condemned as a “wicked act” the findings of an auditor general report that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) had only spent $26.2 million, or 1.8 per cent, of the $1.44 billion donated following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa as of February 23, 2026.Speaking at a People’s National Party (PNP) press conference on Monday, Opposition Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social […]

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Cuba's leader warned Monday of a "bloodbath" in the event of an American attack, and the United States (US) Treasury issued sanctions targeting Cuba's main intelligence agency and top leaders as tensions spiked between the longtime rivals.President Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed the island's right to defend itself a day after US news site Axios reported that Havana had obtained over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and is mulling using them against a US base at […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica National (JN) Group is set to host a pre-diaspora conference webinar, dubbed “Securing Your Piece of the Rock”, to provide Jamaicans living overseas and others interested in purchasing property or expanding their investments back home with an opportunity to gain valuable insights from leading industry experts.The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, starting at 1:30 pm in Jamaica. The virtual session will bring together industry experts and key […]

Aspiring reggae singer Captain Love is paying tribute to one of reggae’s most powerful anthems with his remake of Concrete Jungle, a song deeply connected to his own lived experiences and personal journey.Originally recorded by Bob Marley and The Wailers, the classic track has long stood as a poignant reflection of struggle, survival and social inequality. For Captain Love, revisiting the song was more than a musical decision — it was personal.Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The deadly hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are only the latest crises in "dangerous and divisive" times, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said Monday.Opening the body's annual decision-making assembly in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of the new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he declared an international health emergency over the weekend, and the rare hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.The two "are just […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Monday that one American has contracted Ebola "as part of their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)"."The person developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday," Satish Pillai, the health agency's Ebola response incident manager told journalists, adding that efforts were underway to transport the individual to Germany for treatment.The official added that the United […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) announced Monday it is bolstering precautions to prevent the spread of Ebola, including screening air travellers from outbreak-hit areas and temporarily suspending visa services from the region.The public health measures announced by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention come as the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo an international health emergency.More […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising that the implementation of the revised Environmental Protection Levy (EPL) from 0.5 per cent to 0.85 per cent, which was scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026, has been delayed pending the completion of the necessary legislative processes.TAJ, in a press release on Monday, advised manufacturers and importers that while the revised EPL rates and related measures were announced as part of the Government’s 2026/2027 fiscal […]

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) says that effective Wednesday, May 20, 2026, it will be reducing the frequency of its Ocho Rios service in response to concerns raised by public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators who also serve the corridor.In a statement on Monday, the company said that while it remains focused on providing commuters with a safe, reliable and affordable transportation option between the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) and […]

A committed Christian for over 20 years, Sone G has no limits when it comes to spreading the word. He has recorded gospel songs to dancehall, trap and reggae beats.Stronger, his latest single, is done on a roots-reggae rhythm. Produced by Vi Records, it was released in early May.“The song is timely because it’s about those moments when you feel like you have nothing left. It’s knowing your strength is not in yourself,” said Sone G.He added that no matter the melody, one thing is […]