CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Port Antonio police have arrested a 15-year-old school boy after he allegedly fatally stabbed a male on the Foreshore Road in the vicinity of the bus park about 4:20 Monday afternoon.The dead male has been identified as Jeremy Ferguson also known as Tarzan, whose age has not yet been determined by the police.Initial reports are that the accused and three other school boys were gambling behind a public lavatory close to the bus park when a fracas developed.According to […]

JASON McKay, chief executive officer, McKay Security, said he was thrilled after watching a pair of late penalties decide Sunday’s nail-biting 1-1 draw between homesters York United and Browns Town Football Club in their Jamaica Football Championship playoff quest.Both recipients of $1million McKay Security Limited incentives for topping their respective parish leagues, York and Browns Town, winners of the St Thomas Major League and Kingston and St Andrew Football Association's Championship, […]

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Jamaica – As communities across western Jamaica continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Melissa, nearly 200 residents from some of the hardest-hit areas have benefited from community medical hubs held recently, designed to address both immediate health needs and ongoing recovery challenges.The initiative, spearheaded by Project STAR in partnership with several health and community stakeholders, brought essential medical services and social support directly to […]

A Supreme Court judge on Monday granted an interim injunction to restrain councillor of the Rae Town Division in Kingston, Rosalie Hamilton, from making any further statements that are deemed false and defamatory against Donovan Williams, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Kingston Central. The interim injunction was granted until July 13, at which time a judge is expected to hear submissions and make further ruling. The Jamaica Observer was given access to the document on Monday by a source […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, says young Jamaicans must be  encouraged to engage in policy discussions, to drive innovation and to contribute to national development.While addressing the commencement session at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Monday, Terrelonge underscored the importance of creating opportunities for young people, both locally and […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, says Jamaica must position itself to take advantage of global advances in science, technology and sustainable development, through stronger partnerships with its diaspora and international stakeholders.Speaking at a commencement session at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Monday, Terrelonge said rapid global […]

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Uruguay dominated but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the sweltering heat of Miami on Monday to leave an intriguing Group H wide open.The stalemate came hours after one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history when European champions Spain were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in the same group.

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (AFP) -- FIFA on Monday cleared World Cup referee Shaun Evans of wrongdoing after the Australian official was accused of making a white supremacist hand gesture during a television broadcast.Evans, who was working as a support video assistant referee during Germany's game with Curacao on Sunday, was captured placing his index finger and thumb together with his right hand to form a circle.The gesture -- which has been linked to far-right extremist groups -- was spotted […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s annual inflation rate rose to 5.4 per cent in May as households paid more for fresh produce, restaurant meals, electricity and petrol.The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) said consumer prices increased by 1.5 per cent during the month, reversing a 0.3 per cent decline in April and producing the strongest monthly increase since November 2025.The annual rate, which measures the change in prices between May 2025 and May 2026, climbed from 4.3 per cent in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Anthony Williams, a member of the legal team representing Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson in his court matter with Scotia Bank in Jamaica, is celebrating after the Court of Appeal gave a ruling in his client's favour on Monday.Williams told the Observer Online that the legal team led by King's Counsel, Douglas Leys, submitted an application for leave to appeal a summary judgement which was previously granted in the Supreme Court to the Bank of Nova Scotia in the case […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall superstar Popcaan delivered a memorable and deeply personal performance on Saturday night as Nothing Without God – LIVE captivated a packed audience at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston.The event attracted a diverse audience that included members of parliament, entertainment industry stakeholders, business leaders, and music lovers from across Jamaica and the diaspora.Together, they witnessed an evening celebrating faith, growth, gratitude, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Friday, June 12, ended trading at $159.19 down 16 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at $114.33, up from $113.61, and the British pound at $213.51 down from $213.65.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Dias, popularly known as Vozinha, has gained a massive social media following after his standout performance against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday.The 40-year-old was named Man of the Match after helping Cape Verde secure a goalless draw against one of football's strongest teams. Spain registered 27 shots during the match but were unable to beat the veteran goalkeeper.Following the match, football fans from around the world flooded Vozinha's social […]

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda has announced that Jamaica's critically endangered iguana population, now estimated at more than 400, is projected to grow to between 3,000 and 4,000 within the next decade as conservation efforts continue.Samuda made the disclosure while responding to a question from a delegate identified only as Lewis of the Rotary Club of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands during the Rotaract District 7020 […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force is advising members of the public to refrain from circulating a photograph and message claiming that nine-year-old Adonai Thomas is missing.Investigations have revealed that the information being shared is false.Adonai has been accounted for, is in good health, and remains safely in the care of her family.The public is being urged to immediately stop sharing the photograph and accompanying message, as the circulation of false information can […]

ST ANN, Jamaica —  The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is moving ahead with a series of development initiatives across St Ann, including major investments in housing, recreation, tourism, infrastructure and public spaces, as part of its broader mandate to drive sustainable national development.The plans were outlined during a meeting held on Wednesday, June 10,  at the UDC’s Ocean Boulevard headquarters in downtown Kingston with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, permanent secretary in […]

Sheila Lee, a respected businesswoman and widow of bandleader Byron Lee, died on June 6 in Florida, her daughter Julianne told Observer Online. She was 83.Lee was a quiet influence in most of her husband’s ventures including Dynamic Sounds, the recording and distribution company he operated from 1964 until his death at age 73 in November 2008.She also played a major role in The Dragonaires, the band he started in 1955 at St George’s College in Kingston, as well as Jamaica Carnival, the […]

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Health Department is imploring parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to protect children from accidental poisoning during the upcoming summer break.The call comes as statistics are showing a high number of cases of poisoning among children in western Jamaica.Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, said that the issue remains a significant public health concern.He noted that findings presented during a recent […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Dawes, on Monday called for urgent and decisive action to address what he described as the “critical failure of surgical services” at two of Jamaica’s leading public health institutions.Dawes said operating theatres at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and Bustamante Hospital for Children remain out of service due to recurring infrastructure failures, resulting in cancelled surgeries and disruptions to patient […]

ATLANTA, United States (AFP) — Debutants Cape Verde produced one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history by holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw on Monday.Despite overwhelming possession, Spain could not penetrate the resolute Cape Verde defence, leaving the African nation's fans celebrating wildly in Atlanta.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AFP) — The Strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" from Friday after a deal between Iran and the US to end the Middle East war that limited shipping in the critical bottleneck, President Donald Trump said on Monday.Speaking at the start of bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a G7 summit in France, Trump added, "I don't think we are going to need much help" on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, after London and Paris proposed a joint naval […]

DALLAS, United States (AFP) — Virgil van Dijk does not like them, fans have started booing them, and many critics say they are ruining the World Cup.Hydration breaks last just a total of six minutes during a match, but they stand accused of fundamentally changing the nature of football at the sport's ultimate showpiece."Hydration breaks are a bit interesting," said Netherlands captain Van Dijk, whose side drew 2-2 with Japan in Texas on Sunday in an air-conditioned arena."I was watching […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) — The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said Monday that 2,300 people have been killed in Haiti due to gang violence since the start of this year.Addressing the opening of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Turk told delegates that nearly 100 others have been kidnapped in the French-speaking country.“In Haiti, gang violence has resulted in at least 2,300 deaths, 1,100 injuries and 99 kidnappings since the start of […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston Creative has launched the Createch Incubator, a new programme designed to equip early-stage creative entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and networks needed to build innovative, impact-driven ventures that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies.Recognising the significant role of Jamaica’s creative economy, which contributes an estimated $107 billion annually, or 5.1 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), the […]

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — Regional aviation authorities continued search-and-rescue operations on Sunday after a small aircraft travelling from St Vincent and the Grenadines to Tobago disappeared over the southern Caribbean Sea.The Dominican Republic-registered Beech 58P Pressurised Baron aircraft, registration HI-1145, departed Argyle International Airport in St Vincent at 11:52 am on Friday and was scheduled to arrive at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago.Authorities said […]