CARIBBEAN

KINGSTON, Jamaica  –   The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa Caribbean Advocacy is urging the region to continue the unfinished work of emancipation amid land and housing difficulties.In an Emancipation Day message, the institute added that while important political and civil rights have been achieved, broad access and ownership of land and economic opportunity continue to elude many Caribbean people.“Land ownership remains beyond the reach of too many families, and our region […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Detectives assigned to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Specialised Investigations Branch (SIB) have charged 19 alleged members of the ‘Genasyde Gang’, including reputed leader Tefari Green, otherwise called 'Scoobs' and 'Scrappy'.The accused, which include a female, have been charged with offences under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act.Investigations revealed that the network engaged in a string of serious and violent crimes […]

Jamaican actor, producer, and director Cornelius Grant is enjoying what he describes as one of the busiest and most rewarding periods of his two-decade acting career, with five productions slated for release over the coming months across cinemas, television and digital platforms.The remarkable run includes Stew Peas, which opened in cinemas on July 22 following its June 27 premiere at Carib 5; Redeemed, premiering at Carib 5 on August 3; 3 Sum One Truth, arriving on YouTube this August; Chain […]

Opposition spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson has expressed concern over the increasing number of fatal police shootings, despite a reduction in the country's murder rate last year.“Last year, 340 more persons were killed by the security forces and the only other year it was higher than that was in 1985… That is unacceptable. We want more of our people to remain alive. We believe in the rule of law,” Jackson said.https://youtu.be/41VfsePj7W0Speaking at the Whitfield Town […]

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) is urging Caribbean nations and the global African diaspora to continue the pursuit of reparatory justice, saying the struggle for equality and redress remains unfinished despite the abolition of slavery.In an Emancipation Day message, the Commission paid tribute to the courage and resilience of enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom, describing their resistance as a defining moment in the region’s history.The […]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) —United States (US) embassies in capitals across the Middle East on Saturday warned their citizens to beware of "unforeseen escalation" in the regional conflict and urged them to be ready to leave.The warning, posted online by US embassies in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, came a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "very hard".Iran and the United States […]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the rebuilding efforts of Jamaicans following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last October reflect the spirit of our ancestors in their fight to overcome oppression.In his Emancipation Day message, the prime minister maintained that the same spirit that led our ancestors to freedom will carry Jamaicans through recovery following the Category 5 storm."In the months since Hurricane Melissa, communities across Jamaica have borne real loss and taken […]

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — North and Central American football's governing body Concacaf on Saturday called for a "comprehensive reckoning with" Gianni Infantino's leadership of FIFA after his aborted plan to allow private investment in the World Cup."This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behaviour," Concacaf said in a statement."A comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative."Last week, world […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is offering free electric vehicle charging at all JPS Charge ‘n Go stations islandwide on Emancipation Day, August 1, and Independence Day, August 6. On both holidays, charging will be free from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm, giving electric vehicle (EV) owners 24 hours to power up at no cost, as they travel to celebrations, family gatherings and getaways across the island. In a statement, JPS said the free-charging holiday offer is the latest […]

CÚCUTA, Colombia (AFP) — At least 11 people were injured Saturday when a truck packed with explosives detonated next to a Colombian police station near the border with Venezuela, six days before President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella's inauguration.AFP reporters saw the vehicle in flames, damaged building facades and police, soldiers and residents gathering around the scene of the attack in the northern city of Cucuta before local security officials confirmed the number of injured."At this […]

Director of St Thomas Farms Limited, Dr Michelle Charles has defended the company’s proposed aquaculture project in Barking Lodge, St Thomas, following residents' concerns about the development's proximity to a primary school.In a statement issued in response to the concerns surrounding the project, Charles sought to clarify what she described as important facts about the development, stressing that the project is being carried out on private property and in compliance with the requirements […]

PARIS, France  (AFP) —FIFA president Gianni Infantino failed to calm the stormy waters surrounding his position despite on Saturday scrapping a plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.European football's governing body UEFA had led the opposition to the plan -- saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions -- and while welcoming the withdrawal of the proposal said Infantino had lost their and other football family members "confidence" with his "shabby, back room, opaque […]

Wilburn Theodore “Stranger” Cole got a ‘bangarang’ sendoff at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on Wednesday. The reggae pioneer, who died on June 3 at age 83, was remembered by family and colleagues for his selfless contributions.Known for songs such as Rough And Tough, When You Call my Name (with Patsy Todd) and Bangarang, Stranger Cole made his name in the early 1960s when the Jamaican music industry took shape.During the 1970s, he made his mark in Toronto, Canada. […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica added three more medals on Saturday morning’s penultimate session of track and field at the 23rd Commonwealth Games at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.The team won two gold and a silver to take their tally to 15 medals, seven gold, three silver and five bronze as Jordan Scott and Dejanae Oakley obliged as favourites in the men’s triple jump and women’s 400m, with Fedrick Dacres taking the silver medal in the men’s discus throw.Meanwhile, both […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls scored a sensational one goal 46-45 win over defending champions and world number one ranked Australia in Saturday’s semi-final of the netball competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.The win was revenge for an equally close loss in the final four years ago in Birmingham, UK and saw the Jamaicans qualify for back-to-back finals.In Sunday’s final, Jamaica will face New Zealand in a rematch of their Pool B game earlier […]

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)—Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to resume his career after the Football Association and the World Anti-Doping Agency "resolved his appeal" against a ban for failing a doping test.Mudryk was suspended for four years after failing a 2024 drug test that revealed the presence of a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance.The Ukraine international filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and changes to WADA procedures in the […]

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Guyana's President Irfaan Ali on Friday announced the establishment of a Safety and Compliance Audit Team that will conduct a comprehensive review of the safety and compliance standards governing marine vessels operating in Guyana.Ali said that the establishment of the new team forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety and prevent future tragedies.The move comes in the wake of the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, which according […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The police are advising patrons who will be attending the Come Alive Concert at the Kings House East Lawn on Saturday, August 1, that firearms, explosives, knives, igloos, scissors, or any item that can be used to cause serious harm or injury will not be allowed inside the venue.The police also advised of the following traffic changes:The following roads will be closed on Saturday, August 1, between midday and 11:00 pm:East Kings House Road at the intersection with East […]

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica— Firefighters from all three fire stations in St Elizabeth are now battling a massive bush fire impacting farmlands in Little Park district in Pedro Plains.The leadership of the St Elizabeth Fire Department confirmed that firefighters have been working to contain the blaze from midafternoon Friday utilising fire trucks from the Black River and Junction fire stations as well as a water tender from the Santa Cruz fire station.Residents say the fire has engulfed and […]

Sounds Montego Bay, billed as the ultimate reggae and dancehall experience, is set to light up Jarrett Park on Friday, July 31, with five powerhouse sounds which includes Sound Trooper, New Levels, King Rhyno, Tony Matterhorn and Krazy Dawg in a one-night celebration of Jamaican music and sound system culture.According to promoter Chris McCurdy, the event is a deliberate response to a gap in Montego Bay’s live-music calendar created when Reggae Sumfest moved its staging away from the […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Recording artist Finga was reportedly shot Thursday night in Downtown Kingston.The incident reportedly occurred around 10:00 pm. Reports are that the 30-year-old Dancehall artiste whose given name is Ramone Simmons, was outside at the front of his home when a car approached and asked for him by name before gunshots came blaring from the vehicle.The artiste was allegedly shot six times all over his body before being rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital where he is currently […]

Consider a Jamaican business that gets the chance to buy a smaller competitor. The price is fair, the fit is good, and the seller’s attorney sends over the paperwork: a sale agreement, the premises lease, the staff contracts, two loan facility letters, and an aged receivables listing. Together it runs past 300 pages, the exclusivity window is three weeks, and every one of those pages was drafted by someone whose job was to protect the other side. The traditional options are to pay an attorney […]

PARIS, France(AFP)—World football governing body FIFA said Friday it was scrapping a plan to allow private investment in flagship events after fierce backlash from football officials worldwide."Our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement."As a result, this proposal will not proceed."FIFA had floated the plan on Tuesday that it said could raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for a new […]

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AFP)—South American football governing body CONMEBOL is seeking further information from FIFA over its proposed private investment plan, saying in a statement on Friday that its priority would "always be football"."CONMEBOL has requested additional information and clarifications from FIFA on various aspects relating to the scope, structure, governance and potential effects" of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project, the confederation said.In a cautiously worded […]

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Consumers are facing higher costs at the Spanish Town Market, where prices for several key food items have increased this week.Among the items fetching higher prices are sweet peppers at $500 per pound; ginger at $600 per pound; Scotch bonnet peppers at $400 per pound; and onions at $300 per pound.Ripe bananas, which have remained costly at other markets in recent weeks, are being sold in Spanish Town for between $400 and $600 per hand, while green bananas are priced […]