CARIBBEAN

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 […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Wednesday, May 13, ended trading at $159.24, up from 11 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at $117.57, up from $115.89 and the British pound at $216.49, up from $214.16.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Trade, Industry and Global Logistics, Anthony Hylton, has outlined the Opposition’s strategy for growing the economy with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at its core.Speaking in the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Hylton said, “On this side of the House, we believe Jamaica’s next phase of development must focus on practical, achievable initiatives that deliver visible benefits while laying the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Information Ministry, Marlon Morgan, says a real-time audit by the Auditor General’s Department shows the Government has moved to spend more than $11 billion on 420 Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery contracts currently underway, while describing the audit as an important tool for information and accountability.Morgan argued that the $11.3 billion being spent on relief and recovery initiatives far outweighs the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A viral interaction between popular American streamer IShowSpeed and a Downtown Kingston vendor during the content creator’s recent visit to Jamaica has now resulted in a major show of appreciation from Supligen.Tenneil Campbell, who captured widespread attention after handing the streamer a can of Supligen during a livestream in Downtown Kingston, was surprised on Saturday with a one-year supply of the beverage, a new cellphone and a gift basket courtesy of […]

CALIFORNIA, United States (AFP) —  California has contacted FIFA over possible legal violations in the sale of World Cup tickets following allegations that some fans purchased seats in categories that were later changed, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday.The probe, which comes as supporters complain about the high prices of tickets for this year's tournament, follows reports that soccer's governing body sold tickets by categories displayed on stadium maps, but later changed […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Subsidised nursery and daycare fees, universal pre-K for all four-year-olds, and after-school care at primary schools to support parents are part of a five-pillar policy initiative to be explored by the Government to tackle Jamaica’s total fertility rate, which, at 1.3 children per woman, is worryingly below the replacement level of 2.1.Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher has declared that “It’s time to have a conversation in the interests of preserving […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two police constables charged with the fatal shooting of three men in Shrewsbury, Westmoreland, in 2013 were acquitted on three counts of murder following a four-week trial which ended in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.Constables Damane Campbell and Kenroy Hinds were formally found not guilty after the presiding judge, Leighton Pusey, directed the jury to enter verdicts of acquittal, having considered no-case submissions put forward by the defence teams of both accused.The […]