CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on science, technology, data and digital transformation Christopher Brown is urging the Government to accelerate the introduction of cybersecurity legislation following the reported cyber incident involving the National Health Fund (NHF).Brown said the incident highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive Cybersecurity Act and argued that the legislation should be tabled this year rather than delayed until 2027.In a statement, Brown noted that […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Jordan Scott rebounded from his first loss of the season to win the men’s triple jump at Wednesday’s Oslo Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, the sixth stop on the Wanda Diamond League series, jumping a wind-aided 17.66m (2.6m/s).Scott, the reigning national champion and the World Athletics Indoor Championships silver medalist and two-time World Athletics Championships 400m bronze medalist Rushell Clayton, who was second, were the only Jamaicans who had podium […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — For years, Paul Simpson’s international engagements could easily have been read as high-level networking: a Jamaican financial-sector executive photographed with global political and business figures at major international forums.But as Cornerstone moves Barita into a new phase involving digital banking, asset management, real estate, regional expansion and technology-led financial services, those meetings are being presented by the group as part of a broader process: […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – The assault case against Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott was dismissed in the Balaclava Criminal Court in St Elizabeth on Tuesday after the matter was successfully resolved through mediation.Scott had been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property arising from an incident at a polling station during the September 3, 2025 parliamentary election.The allegations stemmed from a physical altercation at BB Coke High School in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Christopher Jarrett says the tourism industry remains concerned about the proposed increase in General Consumption Tax (GCT) on tourism activities and is again urging the Government to meet with stakeholders.In a release on Wednesday, the JHTA said it has repeatedly sought discussions since March but has not yet received an opportunity to engage on the proposal, which it argues could have significant implications for […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Motorists should see a decrease at the pumps in the price of gasoline effective Thursday, June 11, according to the latest ex-refinery costs from Petrojam.90-octane will be sold for $201.08 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, while 87-octane will be sold for $193.63, down $0.25.Automotive diesel fuel will be sold for $212.00 per litre after an increase $10.50 and ultra-low sulphur diesel will be sold for $220.85 per litre, up $12.50.Kerosene increased by $4.50 and will be […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police are now on the scene where a 72-year-old woman, who had been reported as missing since Sunday, was found dead in a barrel at her home on Gray’s Hill Close in Mandeville.Police named her as Primrose Hall and said she was found face down in a clothes barrel about 10:00 Wednesday morningThe grisly find was made during a search by concerned relatives and friends.Detectives have since cordoned off the area leading to Hall’s home as they process the scene.— […]

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday said Christians could not consider themselves such if they "promote war" -- a thinly veiled reference to United States (US) President Donald Trump's administration.In a homily at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica, Leo also appeared to refer to migration, saying Christians could not "abandon... those who flee from misery"."We cannot believe in Jesus and promote war. We cannot believe in Jesus and kill the innocent," the pope said in front […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A woman accused of stealing a cell phone from a man she spent the night with will return to court in late June for trial on simple larceny.It is alleged that the accused, Horasha Green, had spent the night with the man before he discovered his cell phone and other items missing when he arose from sleep.The prosecution further alleged that Green admitted to taking the items when asked and arranged to give them back to the complainant at an agreed location. When that did not […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 34-year-old businessman has been charged after allegedly trying to enter the country with US$270,580 (J$42.8 million) in his luggageShawn Walker, a business operator from Crawford District, St Elizabeth, has been arrested and charged with several breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), including: failure to report to the designated authority the transportation of cash into or out of, possession of criminal property, and concealment of criminal property.According […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has confirmed that four men were killed during an early morning police operation at the Retirement Dump in St James on Wednesday.Police say the armed confrontation between the men and members of the security forces occurred about 5:40 am.According to the cops, the targeted operation in the Retirement community was driven by intelligence developed during ongoing investigations into recent acts of violence in the area, including the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party says it has taken careful note of recent public statements issued by the Venezuelan Consortium of Aeronautical Industries and Air Services, S.A. (Conviasa) regarding the diversion of one of its flights to Norman Manley International Airport in Jamaica and the subsequent treatment of passengers and crew.A caustic statement from Conviasa indicated that after “unforeseen circumstances” forced an aeroplane flying the Cancún, […]

GALLOWAY, United States (AFP) —  Haiti's achievement in qualifying for the World Cup amid ongoing turmoil in the Caribbean nation is one of the most inspiring stories of this year's tournament, and the team are now hoping to make a real impact in the United States as they prepare for their opening game.Ranked 83rd in the world, Haiti face Scotland in Boston on Saturday in the country's first match at a World Cup since 1974.They are clear underdogs in a group also containing Brazil and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A rise in United States inflation is raising a practical question for Jamaican consumers and businesses: could higher prices abroad soon make life more expensive at home?US consumer prices rose 4.2 per cent in the 12 months to May, the fastest pace in three years, with the increase driven largely by higher energy costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Energy accounted for much of the monthly increase, while core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 2.9 […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — QUANTAS Advantage Inc’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed as it garnered more than $2.38 billion in investor subscriptions.The Barbadian investment company sought to raise between US$9.38 million to US$15.47 million ($1.52 billion to $2.50 billion) over one month.According to a release, the company upsized its offer and had 97 per cent uptake of the total 134,058,691 ordinary shares that were available on offer. There were 2,204 applications in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tivoli Gardens Division councillor Donovan Samuels has been appointed as minority leader of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).Kingston Mayor and KSAMC Chairman Andrew Swaby congratulated Samuels and vowed to work alongside him.In assuming the role, Samuels said: “The hope is that we will work together to ensure that on this side, we put enough pressure on that side.”He continued, “It is not my intention or intention to be antagonistic in this […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) —  United States (US) consumer inflation surged to a fresh three-year high in May, according to official data released Wednesday, as increased energy prices rippled through the world's largest economy.The consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.2 per cent year-on-year, up from April's 3.8 per cent figure, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics said.It was the highest reading since April 2023, according to official data, but in line with analyst expectations.The US-Israel […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A visit aboard the USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest and most advanced aircraft carriers, has reinforced for the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) the critical role radio frequency spectrum plays in maritime safety, navigation and national security.During a tour of the nuclear-powered vessel while it was docked at the Kingston Freeport Terminal, SMA officials gained firsthand insight into the sophisticated communications, surveillance and aviation systems that […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) says it is deeply saddened by reports confirming the death of 13-year-old Excelsior High School student, Kemelia Paul.The teen reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained after being stabbed while attempting to break up a fight at her home in Harbour View, St Andrew.Kemelia’s journey was intensely followed by Jamaicans after news broke of her condition. She was initially in a coma and recovered consciousness, but passed away on […]

PARIS, France (AFP) — Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service on Wednesday said that global forecasters were increasingly confident that a very strong El Nino warming weather pattern could develop later this year."From May 1st to June 1st all models effectively shifted upward their predictions," the service's director Carlo Buontempo told AFP of the latest monthly El Nino forecast."The odds are strongly in favour of a moderate to strong, or probably strong to record-breaking, event at this […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has once again been recognised as the international tourism board providing the Best Travel Advisor Support at the TravelAge West WAVE Awards, presented June 4 at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, California.The recognition marks the 14th time Jamaica has claimed the title across the 21-year history of the WAVE Awards.Describing the award as an “unmatched run”, the JTB says it affirms the destination’s enduring partnership with the […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — A father and a son are reportedly among four men killed Wednesday morning in an alleged confrontation with members of the security forces near the Retirement landfill in Montego Bay.The two men have so far only been identified as Brian 'Teezy' Fairclough and Brian 'Teejay' Fairclough Jr.Teezy, the elder, is a tractor operator who works on the nearby quarry and Teejay is a security guard at the same location.Another man has been identified as "Tallis" while a name has not […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) —  Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates arrived on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning for questioning from United States (US) lawmakers over his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose network of wealthy and powerful associates has fueled years of scrutiny and conspiracy theories.Gates, one of the world's richest men and a leading philanthropist, was appearing before the House Oversight Committee for a transcribed interview about the disgraced […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — An accused man was ordered to return to court in September to answer to charges in a $93 million fraud case when he appeared at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.Prosecutors say Ricardo Dennis was recently arrested as part of an investigation already before the courts and involving several other accused.He is charged with conspiracy to defraud, engaging in transactions involving criminal property, and possession of criminal property.It is alleged that the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A young woman is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to several charges in a case brought by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).Briana Smikle pleaded guilty in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday to several counts of receiving stolen property and engaging in transactions involving stolen property after attorneys from MOCA alleged that she had received money on different occasions that she knew or ought to have known was […]