CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Boys Championships after edging Puerto Rico 1-0 in their Qualifiers - Round 1 Group B top of the zone clash at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao on Tuesday.The championships will be held July 25-August 9  at a venue to be confirmed and Jamaica must finish in the top four in order to qualify for the 2027 U-20 FIFA World Cup.The narrow win saw the Jamaicans complete a perfect record of five wins to […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A nine-decade resident of New Town known locally as “Mass Joe” has been given a new lease on life after Hurricane Melissa left his home with a severely damaged roof and exposed him to the elements.When the storm tore off the entire roof of the 90‑year‑old’s house, neighbours initially covered the home with a tarpaulin. The temporary measure, however, proved inadequate: heavy rains continued to penetrate the shelter and left Mass Joe vulnerable and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN) has launched a phased Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) training programme aimed at eliminating communication barriers within the nation’s public library system and promoting greater inclusion for members of the deaf community.The initiative, titled ‘Bridging the Gap: One Sign at a Time’, was officially launched on Monday, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, St Andrew.The programme will provide […]

As more countries mull social media bans for children of certain ages and a landmark trial unfolds in the United States over use of the platforms, local experts say the Government of Jamaica must at least consider restrictions locally.President of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) and longtime educator Mark Malabver told Observer Online he is seriously concerned about the dependence students display on electronics and social media.“I have seen situations where students say that they are […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican coaching staff has named an unchanged team for Tuesday’s critical Concacaf Boys' U-20 Qualifiers - Round 1 Group B top of the zone clash against Puerto Rico at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao, following Sunday's 8-0 drubbing of St Kitts/Nevis.Both teams are level on 12 points but Jamaica are ahead on a healthy goal- difference and a draw would see them take the sole qualifying spot from the group into the next round.Jamaica has […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican coaching staff have named an unchanged team for Tuesday’s critical Concacaf Boys U-20 Qualifiers - Round 1 Group B top of the zone clash against Puerto Rico at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao.They have named the same team that beat St Kitts/Nevis 8-0 on Sunday for the winner takes all match up against Puerto Rico.Both teams are level on 12 points but Jamaica are ahead on a healthy goal- difference and a draw would see them take […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Bail was extended for dancehall artiste Lisa Hyper, whose given name is Felicia Gooden, when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.The Soul Cry singer is facing multiple charges, including the use of indecent language, disorderly conduct and the use of abusive and threatening language. The charges stem from an incident at the Norman Manley International Airport in February last year which led to her arrest.Reports are that the entertainer […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Among the many students demonstrating commitment to their craft at Winston Jones High School is fifth-form student Jaydon Morgan, whose outstanding performance in the housekeeping programme reflects both professionalism and purpose.Educators at the institution say Morgan has distinguished himself through exceptional dedication, a strong work ethic, and a clear passion for the hospitality field.In a press release on Tuesday, the school said he consistently demonstrates […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Tuesday, March 3, ended trading at $157.20, up 8 cents according to Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar ended trading at $114.46 down from  $114.62 and the British pound at $209.01 down from $211.08 .

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Generation 2000 (G2K) has slammed the People National Party (PNP) for what it says is  the party's silence on Jolyan Silvera's admission that he gunned his wife down and the party's failure to expel the former West St Mary Member of Parliament.In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the young professional affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) said it is heartbroken at the death of Silvera's wife and again wishes to extend sincere condolences to her family and […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A two-month-old baby reportedly died in a case of infanticide in Top Hill, Manchester on Tuesday morning.Police confirmed the incident and said the child’s mother is suspected to have drowned the infant in a bucket of water.Residents expressed shock at the incident which has left the community of Top Hill in mourning.— Kasey Williams

KINGSTON, Jamaica — With ongoing war in the Middle East, reggae artiste Ras Zukes believes that music has the power to help solve conflicts.He made the assertion in an interview with the Observer Online on Tuesday.“The United Nations generally condemns one country bombing another, viewing it as a violation of the United Nation (UN) Charter (specifically Article 2(4)) which prohibits the threat or use of force against territorial integrity, urging peaceful diplomatic solutions instead. UN […]

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The United States (US) made a "totally stupid decision" to attack Iran while in negotiations, and betrayed Gulf nations by trashing their diplomatic efforts, Tehran's UN ambassador said Tuesday.Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador in Geneva, insisted Tehran had no problem with its neighbours, but could not let US bases in the Gulf be used as launchpads for attacks on Iran."War was not our option. War was imposed on Iran," Bahreini told UN correspondents."Nobody should […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In fiscal year 2026/27, the Universal Service Fund (USF) plans to expand Jamaica’s digital infrastructure to increase internet access in public spaces.This will include expanding the Community Connect Programme (CCP) to increase internet access points and establish information and communications technology (ICT) facilities in unserved and underserved communities.This is outlined in the 2026/27 Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, tabled recently in the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) 2025/26 season has officially launched with 12 teams set to vie for national honours.The new season kicks off this Saturday, March 7, marking what organisers say is another significant step in the structured growth and continued professionalisation of women’s football in Jamaica.Now in its second season under the management of Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), executing the league on behalf of the Jamaica […]

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police are reporting that they have ramped up operations in collaboration with a mining company’s security team targeting the lucrative black market for stolen low-sulphur diesel following an operation on a haul road near Porus, Manchester on Tuesday.https://youtu.be/OYAUkmLwi0sDuring the early morning operation, 30 containers of stolen diesel fuel and 13 empty containers were seized.About 4:30 am, a security team assigned to Jamalco was on patrol on a haul road and […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Students from Allman Town Primary participated in a peace march through the community on Tuesday as Jamaica marks Peace Day.The primary school students, accompanied by a band and other adults, traversed the streets chanting, “We want peace.”Peace Day is celebrated in Jamaica every first Tuesday in March.The observance was cemented following a February 1996 proclamation by then Governor General Howard Cooke, recognising the efforts of PALS Jamaica.

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — An Islamic Revolutionary Guard general warned Tuesday that continued United States (US)-Israeli attacks would see Iran conduct reprisals against "all economic centres" in the Middle East."We are saying to the enemy that if it decides to hit our main centres, we will hit all economic centres in the region," said Ebrahim Jabbari."We have closed the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, the price of oil is above $80 and will soon reach $200," he was quoted as saying by Iranian news […]

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Tuesday said economic growth is expected to remain “modest” among the countries of the region this year.CDB’s Acting Deputy Director of the Economics Department, Jason Cotton, told the bank’s annual news conference that, excluding Guyana, regional gross domestic product is forecasted to grow by 1.1 per cent.He said Guyana is expected to expand by over 20 per cent, lifting regional growth to 6.2 per cent […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Delroy Chuck, has expressed condolences to the family and friends of Senior Parish Judge for Hanover, Sasha-Marie Ashley, following her passing on Monday.“On behalf of the ministry and the Government, I join the judiciary and the wider legal fraternity in expressing deep sorrow at the loss of a remarkable jurist, whose life and service embodied integrity, diligence and an unwavering commitment to justice,” Chuck said in […]

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — A 36-year-old Jamaican is assisting Antiguan police following the seizure of 60 pounds of marijuana during a joint drug interdiction operation at the VC Bird International Airport last Sunday.Reports are that officers attached to the Narcotics Department, along with members of the K-9 Unit and the Customs Enforcement Unit, conducted a coordinated operation at the airport and seized one black suitcase and one green suitcase with a total of 19 sealed packages of […]

MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Jacques Poissant's suffering stopped the day he asked his daughter if it would be "cowardly to ask to be helped to die".The retired Canadian insurance adviser was 93, and "was wasting away" after a long battle with prostate cancer."He no longer had any zest for life," Josee Poissant told AFP.Last year her mother made the same choice at 96 when she realised she would not be getting out of hospital.She died surrounded by her children and their partners listening to the […]

PARIS, France (AFP) — Loud blasts rocked Tehran on Tuesday as Iran hit industrial and diplomatic targets across the Middle East and threatened to open "the gates of hell" on the United States and Israel.The conflict started with US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend that killed the Iranian supreme leader and showed no sign of abating as it entered its fourth day.Here are the latest developments:- Fresh blasts rock Tehran as Israel hit commander -Loud explosions rocked the Iranian […]

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — The United States (US) embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday warned of an imminent attack in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, home to much of the kingdom's energy installations along the Gulf coast."There is a threat of imminent missile and UAV attacks over Dhahran. Do not come to the US Consulate" the embassy wrote on its official X account.The warning came just hours after the US mission in Riyadh was attacked by two drones that sparked a small fire on the embassy […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator and United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General, Alexander De Croo, will arrive in Jamaica on an official mission this week to visit hurricane Melissa-impacted communities and to engage in crisis resilience and hurricane recovery talks with the Government and private sector partners.De Croo, a former prime minister and minister of finance of Belgium will be in the country from March 5 to 6 and is expected to […]