CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) Embassy in Jamaica is urging Jamaicans not to “run off” during their travels to the US, warning that they will be deported.The embassy issued the warning via a social media post on Thursday."Don't run off. You will be deported from the United States. You will not be able to return," the embassy said.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Workers’ Week 2026 will be observed from May 17 to 25 under the theme “Voices Heard: Shaping Labour Policies in an Evolving Labour Market”.The week of activities will place workers at the centre of policy development, ensuring their voices help shape the future of work in Jamaica.Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Gillian Corrodus, explained that this year’s theme is a clear call to action, reinforcing the Government’s […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that crisis-hit Cuba's leadership must change as Washington renewed an offer on Wednesday of $100 million in aid if the communist-run island agrees to cooperate.Cuba has been suffering severe economic tumult led by an energy shortage that plunged 65 per cent of the country into darkness on Tuesday.Cuba's leaders have blamed US sanctions, but Rubio, a Cuban-American and vociferous critic of the government […]

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP)—Cuba was hit by worsening power outages on Thursday as the island's communist government said oil reserves had run out and rare protests broke out around the capital Havana.Eastern Cuba was plunged Thursday into the latest of regular electricity shutdowns affecting the whole country, while people protested against power outages in neighborhoods around Havana, in the west of the island.Oil reserves sent by Russia have now "run out," Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told […]

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP)—Iran's football federation chief on Thursday said no visas had yet been issued for the national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, state media reported."Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved," the state news agency IRNA quoted federation chief Mehdi Taj as saying."We have not received any account from the other side regarding […]

BEIJING, China (AFP)—Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that missteps on Taiwan could push their two countries into "conflict", a stark opening salvo as they met in Beijing on Thursday at a superpower summit.Trump arrived in China with accolades for his host, calling Xi a "great leader" and "friend" and extending an invitation to visit the White House in September.Beyond the pomp as he welcomed Trump, Xi in less effusive tones said the two sides "should be […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chartered insurer and founder of ICWI Group Limited, Dennis Lalor, died Wednesday night.He was ailing for some time.Regarded as one of Jamaica’s business giants, Lalor built ICWI into one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the Caribbean with operations in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.He also served on numerous boards throughout his long and sterling career. Among them are Air Jamaica, Freemasons Association (Jamaica) Limited, Jamaica […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ensuring that only quality, certified motorcycle helmets enter Jamaica and that riders know how to choose them, was the central focus of a recent stakeholder training that marked a critical step in strengthening motorcycle safety across the island.The training, hosted by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC) at the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston, brought together 41 stakeholders.Participants included regulators, enforcement personnel, port officials, and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health and Wellness has officially launched its Citizens’ Charter and Wait Experience Programme, aimed at improving customer service and strengthening public confidence in the nation’s healthcare system.It is a formal commitment by the ministry to deliver high-quality, people-centred healthcare services across the island’s more than 300 health centres and 24 public hospitals.Speaking at the launch, held on May 13, at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica  —  Defending champions Cavalier Football Club are through to the semifinals of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after a 2-0 win over Waterhouse in their second leg quarterfinal, advancing 4-2 on aggregate.Goals from Dwayne Allen and Christopher Ainsworth were enough to lead Cavalier to their eighth straight JPL semifinal.Rudolph Speid’s men will now meet Montego Bay United in the two legged semifinal, starting on Sunday.The winner of the semifinal […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has allocated $800 million to construct 95 greenhouses across four parishes before the end of 2026.The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, during his 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 13).He noted that protected agriculture is critical in building resilience in the climate-vulnerable sector, and as such, the Government has embarked on the “largest outlay […]

An attempt on Wednesday by Opposition Spokesperson on the Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Nekeisha Burchell, to deliver her maiden contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament using Jamaican patois was immediately shut down by House Speaker Juliet Holness.Burchell began with: “Madam Speaker, mi git up dis afta noon fi mek mi fuss sectoral speech pon mi portfolia...” before being interrupted by Holness who cited the Standing Orders which dictate that standard English must […]

MIRAMAR, Florida — Friends of Good Shepherd International (FOGS) celebrated its 30th Annual Fundraising Gala recently in South Florida, and the evening carried the unmistakable weight of three decades of faithful service.At the heart of it all was Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston, Charles Dufour, the founding visionary of FOGS and The Good Shepherd Foundation (GSF), who made the journey from Jamaica to be present for the occasion.A towering figure in the Jamaican Catholic Church, Archbishop […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Transport, Mikael Phillips has asserted that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is in the worse state it has been since it started operations nearly 30 years ago, citing that the state-run bus company has chalked up losses of over $100 billion in 10 years.Phillips made the assertion in the House of Representatives on Wednesday during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate.“For a decade now, the JUTC has been languishing in the hospital's […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dozens of students from four Jamaican schools are benefiting from a swimming development programme designed not only to teach them how to stay safe in the water, but also to open opportunities for them in the future.The Progress Learn to Swim Classes (PLSC) hosted a swim meet last Thursday geared towards showcasing the competence and development of its cohort of students from New Hope Preparatory, St Jude’s Primary, Panton’s Home School and Bethel Basic School.It […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Police have charged four St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) students with assaulting occasioning bodily harm reportedly committed against their 15-year-old schoolmate last Wednesday.The assault occurred during a series of fights which resulted in the school being shuttered for two days last week.Police said the incidents happened between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm last Wednesday at STETHS.Police said two of the schoolgirls charged are both aged 14 while the others […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Club Kingston has been named “Lounge of the Year” for the Latin America & Caribbean region by Priority Pass, rising above more than 350 airport lounges across the region to earn the title.The recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Jamaica as the country continues to strengthen and rebuild its tourism momentum following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. The award not only highlights the quality of Jamaica’s hospitality product, but also […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), in collaboration with partner agencies, is continuing efforts to locate and capture the non-native White-faced capuchin monkeys recently reported in sections of St Elizabeth.Despite several coordinated attempts involving technical personnel and community support, the animals have not yet been safely captured.READ: Public urged to avoid non-native monkeys after St Elizabeth sightingsIn a release, NEPA urged members of […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — President of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA), Mark Malabver, says the organisation is exploring a critical illness insurance plan, in partnership with the Sagicor Group, to provide additional support for members.Speaking with JIS News during the launch of the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships on May 12, at the WBC Ben Hawthorne Conference Room in Kingston, Malabver said the initiative is being pursued based on feedback from members.“It will provide […]

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)—Manchester City's second string eased past Crystal Palace 3-0 on Wednesday to climb just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games remaining of a captivating title race.Pep Guardiola made six changes from the side that beat Brentford 3-0 at the weekend, with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku among those on the bench, while Palace boss Oliver Glasner also made tweaks.First-half goals from Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush put City in control […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Motorists should see a decrease at the pumps in the price of gasoline effective Thursday, May 14, according to the latest ex-refinery costs from Petrojam.90-octane will be sold for $197.33 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, while 87-octane will be sold for $189.88, down $0.25.Automotive diesel fuel will be sold for $197.33 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, and ultra-low sulphur diesel will be sold for $204.35 per litre, down $0.25.Kerosene decreased by $0.25 and will […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Express Canteen donated $500,000 to Convent of Mercy Academy 'Alpha' to assist the school’s track and field team with travel expenses to the 2026 Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Pennsylvania.For the first time ever, the school entered the Girls’ 4x800m relay at Penn Relays, finishing 13th overall in 9:51. Alpha also captured a silver medal in the International Championship High School Girls’ 4x100m relay, clocking 46.42 seconds in the final after advancing with 46.75 […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James police are deeply troubled by the recent spate of killings of women in the parish, pointing to a pattern of interpersonal violence behind many of the murders.In a string of recent killings involving women in St James, Cora Thompson, 38, was fatally shot on April 22 while selling books at the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God.On April 29, Melissa Kerry Samnath, 35, was found dead during a birthday trip to Jamaica; a post-mortem later confirmed homicide.On […]

ROME, Italy (AFP)—Inter Milan won the Italian Cup on Wednesday after beating Lazio 2-0 and completing a domestic double alongside their 21st Serie A title.An Adam Marusic own goal and Lautaro Martinez's tap-in, both in the first half, gave Inter both a comfortable victory in Rome and a 10th Cup triumph.Just with the 3-0 stuffing dished out to Lazio on the same ground at the weekend, Inter cruised through the 90 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.Lazio barely laid a glove on Inter and from the […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica—MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), operator of the Sangster International Airport (SIA), recently hosted its fourth annual Customer Experience (CX) Excellence Awards to recognise individuals and organisations who deliver Jamaica's first impression to the millions who visit the country.The ceremony coincided with MBJ’s 23rd anniversary of operations and arrived on the heels of one of the most demanding years in SIA's history.Chief Executive Officer Shane Munroe was clear about […]