CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A low-level jetstream across the central Caribbean has been generating very strong winds across Jamaica since Tuesday, with forecasters warning that hazardous conditions are expected to persist into the weekend.According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the strongest effects are likely to be felt across southern parishes and offshore marine areas, where gusty winds and rough seas have already begun impacting conditions.The agency said the strong winds are expected […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shot putters Shaiquan Dunn of the University of Texas and Kobe Lawrence of the University of Oregon, as well as long jumper Jordan Turner of Louisiana State, all booked their tickets to the NCAA National Outdoor Championships after Wednesday’s first day of the regionals.Dunn threw a personal best 18.81m to placed ninth in the shot put, while despite one of his shortest throws of the season, Lawrence, who only managed 18.69m, snatched the final place from the West […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Businessman Jason Russell will continue in his role as head of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce for another year.He was reelected unopposed at the entity's annual general meeting held at the University of the West Indies-Western Jamaica Campus on Wednesday evening.Russell was first elected last year, succeding former president, Oral Heaven, who did not seek reelection.Russell was praised for his "down to earth leadership style" and his leadership following the passage […]

Jetour Jamaica officially marked its arrival on the local automotive landscape on Sunday with a grand launch event at its Mary Brown’s Corner showroom in St Andrew, unveiling six new models as part of its expanding suite of motor vehicle offerings.Business stakeholders, loyal customers, automotive enthusiasts, Government ministers, Opposition spokespersons, members of the media and other invited guests gathered at the facility to witness the official introduction of the internationally […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two technicians sustained burn injuries following an explosion at a KFC restaurant in downtown Kingston earlier Wednesday, according to Operations Manager Christopher Powell.In a statement issued following the incident, Powell said the company’s immediate priority was the safety and wellbeing of its employees, customers and all individuals at the location.“Earlier today there was an incident involving an explosion at one of our KFC restaurants in downtown Kingston. Our […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — A St James man accused of murdering his American wife who was in the country celebrating her birthday, appeared in court without a lawyer or obvious family support on Wednesday.When Dane Watson, 31 appeared in court he was asked whether he had retained an attorney. Watson shared that family members had been in dialogue with a lawyer and provided the attorney’s name. However, no relatives were present in court, and the attorney’s name was not listed on the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rising reggae/dancehall artiste Firgo Diamond is making a bold statement with his new single “Big Shark,” a socially conscious track confronting greed, betrayal, poverty, and the struggles faced by everyday people.Produced by legendary reggae producer Computer Paul and executive produced by Mark “Feedo” Baines, the song blends spiritual reflection with sharp social commentary, delivering a message rooted in truth, survival, and awareness.“The song was inspired […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Motorists should see an increase at the pumps in the price of gasoline effective Thursday, May 28, according to the latest ex-refinery costs from Petrojam.90-octane will be sold for $201.58 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, while 87-octane will be sold for $194.13, down $0.25.Automotive diesel fuel will be sold for $201.75 per litre after a decrease of $0.25, and ultra-low sulphur diesel will be sold for $208.60 per litre, down $0.25.Kerosene increased by $0.25 and will […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Thursday, May 27, ended trading at $158.08, up 18 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily exchange trading summary.Meanwhile, the Canada dollar ended trading $114.39, down from $114.53, and the British pound at $212.33, up from $212.30.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz qualified for back- to- back finals in the 2026 Unity Cup after beating debutants India 2-0 in their semi-final played at the Valley, the home of Charlton Athletics, in London on Wednesday.In Saturday’s final Jamaica will play defending champions Nigeria who had beaten Zimbabwe by the same scoreline on Tuesday.Jamaica lost in the finals to Nigeria in 2022 and 2025.On Wednesday, Courtney Clarke scored on his debut, firing Jamaica ahead in the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Security company Beryllium says its operational facilities remain unaffected following an explosion and fire at a nearby garage facility on Wednesday morning.In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the company clarified that the incident occurred at a garage located adjacent to its compound on South Camp Road in Kingston.According to Beryllium, the explosion and subsequent blaze involved a vehicle on the garage property. Four people were injured and taken to hospital […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Westmoreland Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is to intensify traffic enforcement operations across the parish, to reduce fatalities and indiscipline on the roads.Operations Officer for the division, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jordaine Allen, said the increased operations will form part of the division’s broader strategy to improve public safety and maintain order across Westmoreland.He was addressing the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland […]

ST JAMES, Jamaica — Faulkland Football Club (FC) and Reggae Youths confirmed their places in Saturday’s final of the St James Football Association/Sandals Major League after Monday’s return leg semi-finals at Jarrett Park.Radcliff Dawkins came off the bench to hammer the nail in Montego Bay Boys Club’s coffin as Faulkland FC won 4-1 for a 6-1 aggregate before Reggae Youths edged Heights FC 5-4 on aggregate after their entertaining 4-4 draw.In addition to winning the title, Saturday’s […]

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The personal assistant who repeatedly injected Matthew Perry with ketamine before he died was sentenced to prison on Wednesday, becoming the fifth person to face justice over the "Friends" star's fatal overdose.Kenneth Iwamasa, 61, was ordered to serve three years and five months in federal lock-up after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.Prosecutors said that in the days leading up to Perry's 2023 death in a hot tub, Iwamasa […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — United States-based reggae singer Jahriffe is spreading positivity and spiritual encouragement with his uplifting new single “Shine Bright,” a roots reggae anthem centered on resilience, confidence, and self-belief.Inspired by personal struggles and the need for motivation during difficult moments, the track delivers a message of perseverance while encouraging listeners to remain grounded and focused on their purpose despite life’s challenges.“Shine Bright was […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Odin Samuels-Smith and Courtney Clarke have been handed debuts for the Reggae Boyz as they take on India in the semifinals of the Unity Cup at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic, in London on Wednesday.Nineteen-year-old Samuels-Smith plays for the Everton FC Under-21 team while 23-year-old Clarke plays for Walsall in the English League 2.Coniah Boyce-Clarke will start in goal with Captain Damion Lowe marshalling the defence that includes Kyle Ming and Brandon […]

Twenty years after first hitting the Billboard chart with Ms Triniti, E-Dee returns to a hardcore sound with Come Link Me and Heartbreak, his latest songs. He produced both for his Clarendon Records.The Los Angeles-based artiste is hoping to duplicate the success of Bounce Along, his collaboration with Ms Triniti, which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales Chart in 2006.“Yes, definitely, that was my first major breakthrough. That song became a big hit in […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Government to disclose whether Ambassador Antony Anderson applied for the post of chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) following his appointment by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.In a statement shortly after the Wednesday morning announcement, the PNP said, “This appointment raises serious questions that the Government must answer openly and without delay. […]

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) states of New York and New Jersey announced a probe Wednesday into whether FIFA has exploited football fans with "impossibly high" World Cup ticket prices.Prosecutors in the two states said they would investigate ticket practices by the game's governing body and organiser of the tournament starting June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada."FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), under its Cleaner Kingston initiative, is continuing efforts to clear downtown streets of garbage and other impediments, including tarps that are affecting the police’s camera visibility.“We have gotten some complaints from the police as it relates to tarps, which at times would [cause] poor visibility for the cameras in the area, which would affect their enforcement activities,” said KSAMC City Engineer […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The World Bank on Tuesday issued a catastrophe bond providing the Government of Jamaica with US$200 million in insurance coverage against hurricanes.The bond, which was provided through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), replaces the previous catastrophe bond, which provided US$150 million in coverage and was fully paid out in 2025 following the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island in October 2025.In a statement on Wednesday, the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — At least four people were taken to hospital on Wednesday following an explosion at garage facility on South Camp Road in St Andrew.Speaking with Observer Online, the Jamaica Fire Brigade confirmed that it responded to the scene shortly before 9:00 am.According to the brigade, welding work was being carried out on a Beryllium armoured truck before the explosion occurred.The police said at least four vehicles were affected by the incident. Three suffered extensive damage, […]

Shenseea has earned her fifth entry on Billboard's Rhythmic Airplay chart, thanks to her collaboration Echo (FIFA World Cup 2026) with reggaeton artiste Daddy Yankee. It debuted at #36 on the chart for the week of May 30.Released April 28, the song is the third release off the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album compilation which features various artistes.Shenseea first made this particular Billboard chart in 2022 with R U That featuring 21 Savage, which rose to #28.  Two years later, Work […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the appointment of Ambassador Major General Antony Anderson as chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).Anderson, who currently serves as Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, will assume duties on June 1, Holness said at a special post-cabinet press briefing on Monday.The prime minister said the appointment comes at a critical stage in Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Melissa […]

PARIS, France (AFP) — YouTube will in future automatically detect artificial intelligence (AI) generated content and flag the information to viewers on its platform, the Google-owned company said Wednesday.The move reverses a previous policy of relying on video creators to self-report if they had used generative artificial intelligence tools."If a creator doesn't specify whether or not they used AI, but our systems detect significant photorealistic AI use, we will now automatically apply a […]