CARIBBEAN

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Iran announced it was again closing the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and hit Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US strikes, further undermining efforts to salvage Middle East peace efforts.Here are the latest developments:UN chief calls for stop to fightingUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the United States and Iran Sunday to halt their new outbreak of fighting.Kuwait strikesKuwait's defence ministry said that three border posts and an offshore oil […]

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) —  Former Argentina captain Antonio Rattín, who was sent off in the 19966 World Cup quarter-final against England, died on Saturday at the age of 89, his club Boca Juniors confirmed.His death was announced on the day Argentina and England won their World Cup quarter-finals to set up a semi-final between the two old rivals next Wednesday."With deep sorrow, we regret the passing of Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, an idol and emblem of our institutionm," Boca announced on […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The customer amnesty and relief programme granted by the National Water Commission (NWC) in January 2025 generated $769.0 million in collections for the State-owned utility company.It also processed over 15,000 customer requests and resolved approximately $1.9 billion in legacy debt.The information is contained in the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica.The amnesty also provided targeted relief to […]

SANTIAGO, Chile(AFP) — A driver ploughed into people at a street festival Sunday in Chile, killing at least six, police said.The man reportedly lost control of the vehicle at the festival in the city of Vina del Mar, Jorge Guaita, a police official, told AFP.Another seven people were injured, but their lives are not in danger, he added.Early reports said the driver was speeding on a road running alongside the festival site.The driver was detained and will be tested for alcohol consumption, […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Remittances to Jamaica totalled US$3 247.5 million in 2025, an increase of 3.8 per cent when compared with 2024.This is according to the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica.According to the survey, the higher remittances resulted from an increase of US$127.8 million to US$3 485.7 million in inflows.It said the expansion in inflows was due to higher inflows from remittance companies by US$170.7 million […]

Thirty-four years after it became a global hit, Sweat (A La La La La Long) by reggae band Inner Circle, has earned platinum certification in the United Kingdom.On Friday, July 10, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) issued the certification which commemorates digital sales and streaming equivalent exceeding 600,000 units.Sweat (A La La La La Long) was released in July 1992 as the first single from the band’s 12th studio album Bad to the Bone.Written by band members, brothers Ian and […]

Jamaicans dominated on Saturday’s second day of the NACAC Under 18/23 Championships in Apizaco, Mexico, adding 25 more medals to take their tally to 41 after winning three of four gold medals in the sprint hurdles, 400m and the 400m hurdles.On Saturday, Jamaican athletes added another 14 gold medals after winning eight on the first day, for a two-day total of 22 gold, 12 silver, and seven bronze, with today’s final day of competition still to come.Shaquane Gordon, the National Junior […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central Dwayne Vaz has stepped down from his position as Deputy Spokesperson on Roads and Works.In a brief statement on Saturday, the People’s National Party (PNP) said following discussions with Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Vaz had decided to focus on his constituency responsibilities and would no longer serve as deputy spokesperson.The statement indicated that Golding and the party understand the decision and thanked Vaz for his […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A 27-year-old taxi operator has been charged after allegedly holding up two women at knifepoint.Dennis Miller, otherwise known as "Brown Man," a taxi operator of a Kingston 2 address, has been charged with two counts of robbery with aggravation and receiving stolen property following two robbery incidents in Kingston 17 on July 8.Reports from the Elletson Road Police are that between 1:30 pm and 2:20 pm, Miller, armed with a knife, approached and robbed two women of their […]

MADRID, Spain (AFP) —  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez denounced Sunday what he called "xenophobic statements" by his conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy, who had written in an opinion piece that France's national football team had "no French players.""There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it," Sanchez wrote on X.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and Barbados Fire Service who were deployed to Venezuela following last month’s double earthquake have been awarded the Hero of Venezuela Medal.The honour was presented by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez to members of the Urban Search and Rescue team, which was deployed to La Guaira, which sustained extensive damage.Barbados’ Ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke, announced the recognition as the team […]

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Cuba's power grid was restored Sunday after another nationwide blackout, the second in less than a week on the island, which is under a US oil blockade, the national electricity company said."At 6:30 a.m. (10:30 GMT) this morning, the national electrical system was reconnected throughout the country," the national utility UNE posted on X.After working for more than 24 hours to restart the system — a process made slower and more complex by fuel shortages — engineers […]

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) -- Prominent US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump, died aged 71 following a "brief and sudden illness," his office said on Sunday.Graham, known for his foreign policy work, was a staunch supporter of the Iran war and in recent years urged both Trump and the Biden administrations to back Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion.The Republican senator from South Carolina's office said in a statement on his official X account that he "passed […]

KANSAS CITY, United States (AFP) -- Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Saturday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England.Fans of the South American team dominated the stands in Kansas City and were celebrating as early as the 10th minute when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister's opener.Switzerland levelled midway through the second half through Dan Ndoye but minutes […]

As Jamaica prepares to celebrate its 64th year of Independence in August, local streetwear brand Jamroc Dept is marking the occasion with a limited-edition clothing collection that blends national pride with contemporary fashion.The 64 Years of Jamaica Independence Collection: 1962-2026, officially launched on June 5, is the latest offering from founder and creative director Fernando Edwards, who says the six-piece collection was designed to celebrate Jamaica's past while embracing its […]

The Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited (MBCF) has announced that it has successfully achieved Safe Quality Food (SQF) Manufacturing Edition 9 Recertification, with an outstanding 99 per score.Managing Director of MBCF, Dr Norman Grant says the achievement reaffirms the company's unwavering commitment to food safety, quality assurance, operational excellence and product certification. The certification is valid until April 24, 2027.“This recertification reflects the dedication of our team to […]

Outward migration contributed to Jamaica’s population growing by a negligible 600 people in 2025 to 2,764,200, with the United States of America (USA), Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) continuing to be major destinations for Jamaican migrants who are granted visas for permanent residence or citizenship.This is according to the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).With 18,347 Jamaicans entering its borders, […]

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) —  England and Norway were preparing to lock horns in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final battle of elite strikers in Miami on Saturday set to be played in ferocious heat and humidity.The two European rivals face off at the Hard Rock Stadium in a match that kicks off at 5:00 pm local time (2200 GMT), with the winner facing a semi-final against Argentina or Switzerland.While the build-up has focused on the duel between in-form England striker Harry Kane and […]

The inaugural Elegance: The Ballroom Experience is attracting strong international support, with members of the Jamaican Diaspora travelling from across North America and Europe to attend the highly-anticipated event on July 19 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Ballroom.Promoter Isaiah Laing said the overwhelming overseas response has reaffirmed that the concept is resonating with patrons both at home and abroad."Seeing members of the diaspora coming in for this event gives me a soothing feeling […]

WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it has signed a landmark Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) enabling a Biometric Data Sharing Partnership with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).DHS said on Friday that the MOC was signed in Washington by Rob Law, Under Secretary of Strategy, Policy, & Plans for DHS, and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, executive director for Caricom […]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — The death toll in Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes last month has topped 4,300, a top lawmaker said Saturday.National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez -- the brother of interim leader Delcy Rodriguez -- put the toll at 4,333, up from 4,118 on Friday.On June 24, the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, flattening entire high-rise apartment blocks into layers of rubble.Camps for families left homeless have sprung […]

The leadership of the Integrity Commission (IC) has indicated that it is still concerned about the safety of its staff.“Employee safety and physical security remain a concern and priority for the Commission,” said the IC’s executive director Craig Beresford in the Commission’s 2025/26 annual report.Describing it as an outstanding issue, Beresford said the Commission has engaged key stakeholders but the matter remains unresolved.“The Commission is pursuing an early resolution to this […]

The volume of Jamaican dollar transactions at automated banking machines (ABMs) islandwide in 2025 increased by 35.3 per cent to $66.3 million and was valued at $1.2 billion.This is an increase of 45.7 per cent when compared to  2024.The information is outlined in the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).With respect to US dollar transactions, the PIOJ said the value of these declined at both ABM and point-of-sale […]

Reggae singer Jahriffe is preparing to inspire audiences with the release of his powerful new single, We Give Praises, on July 21.The uplifting track will serve as the first release from the upcoming Jailhouse Set Me Free Riddim Volume 2, produced by Ralston Barrett, setting the stage for a project rooted in faith, culture and conscious reggae.Blending heartfelt lyrics with authentic roots reggae, We Give Praises reflects Jahriffe’s unwavering belief in giving thanks through every season […]

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP) — The number of seismic activities recorded by Jamaica’s  Earthquake Unit in 2025 was 549 compared to 633 in 2024.This is according to the 2025 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica, a publication of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).The survey found that over 50 per cent of the recorded events (280) were local, while 22.2 per cent or 122 were near. Local events occur on the island and in close offshore areas while near events occur within […]