Abeng — Jamaica news

Nesbeth marks what would be Gloria Wright’s 72nd with Mama’s Memories tribute

Reggae singer Nesbeth has dropped Mama’s Memories for Gloria Wright—Mama Gloria—who died of cancer in 2013 at 59. In a Jamaica Observer interview he shares candid quotes on grief, his mother’s support, and his hands-on role on the track, and names upcoming Daddy Love from DJ Teddy Productions.

Level up

The Professional Women’s Football Jamaica Limited (PWFJL), in collaboration with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and Concacaf, successfully executed a two-day Capacity Building and Club Licensing Workshop for coaches and administrators, as well as to provide tips for players to secure scholarships. The workshops were held May 6–7, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston, with one of the major highlights being a specially curated college recruitment presentation focused on opportunities within the United States and Canadian collegiate systems

4,000 child-related incidents and counting…

The first three months of 2026 saw Jamaican children falling victim to more than 4,000 incidents of child abuse, child trafficking, child labour, and neglect, as well as struggling with behavioural challenges and bullying. Child advocates Nigel Cooper, who is the director of Hear the Children Cry (HTCC), and Afrika Stevens, executive director and founder of Fi We Children Foundation, labelled the statistics alarming

Bittersweet Mother’s Day for Manchester mom, family

Mandeville, Manchester — Today marks the fourth Mother’s Day Donna Walker-Ellis has had to grieve the barbaric killing of her daughter, Shadae Brown, at the hands of convict Kevon Lesley who was sentenced to life in prison last Friday in the Manchester Circuit Court. “It is a great relief, because my daughter cannot come back…I am happy for closure,” Walker-Ellis told the media shortly after the sentencing was handed down by trial judge Grace Henry McKenzie

Virtual push for real estate

Effectively opening up the forced sale of properties locally to a global audience, online auctions are being touted as an integral part of the future of Jamaican real estate. “Online property auctions represent one of the most significant shifts in Jamaica’s real estate transaction model in decades

Friends for Life backs 40 mothers in crisis, urges wider circle of care this Mother’s Day

Across two years, Friends for Life beneath the Love March Movement has accompanied 40 mothers in crisis pregnancies; director Diane Constantine ties steady cash help and neighbourly backing to choices against abortion and asks Jamaicans to step forward around Mother’s Day.

Mystic Bowie honours Miss Beryl with Mother’s Day single Mother’s Love

Reggae singer Mystic Bowie tells the Jamaica Observer how lessons from his late mother, St Elizabeth Maroon Beryl Smith, shaped Mother’s Love, a track built for overseas fans as much as home listeners.

Jason McKay steers Jamaica dragon boat crews toward IDBF world club meet after Nassau record

Multisport organiser Jason McKay celebrates a 1:01.82 Jamaican mixed 200m mark at the Bahamas festival and outlines training assets, past bronze success, and targets for June’s home regatta plus August–September’s Club Crew World Championships.

Kabaka Pyramid's mother charts path from childhood gospel to Grammy-winning The Kalling

Marcia Salmon, Kabaka Pyramid's mother, tells the Jamaica Observer how gospel car journeys, teenage homemade rhythms, and a Toronto festival set helped steer the Grammy winner from a Florida tech degree toward international reggae acclaim.

Real Mona through to JWPL semis

Real Mona defeated Cavalier 2-0 at Constant Spring Complex yesterday to secure a historic spot in the semi-finals of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) for the first time in the club’s history. Last season’s runners-up Cavalier started the day in pole position, sitting second in Group A on 15 points, with Real Mona close behind on 14 points

Maxfield Park health staff stage second pre–Mother’s Day uplift for family planning mothers

Last Friday at Maxfield Park Health Centre, family-planning clients found an unannounced pre–Mother’s Day event of gifts and talks run by midwife manager Jheanell Condappa, who said one woman wept, having never before gotten anything.

George Nooks releases Mama single as first Mother’s Day without mom weighs heavy

Reggae gospel singer George Nooks marks Mother’s Day with new track Mama on Production Totally, written after his mother died of cancer last year. He shares candid grief, keeps her lyrics in the song, and urges people still blessed with a mother to cherish them while they can.

Syria sees first government reshuffle since al-Assad’s ouster: State media

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has announced a series of government changes, including replacing his brother as head of the presidential office, the state news agency SANA reports. Al-Sharaa appointed former Homs Governor Abdul Rahman Badreddine al-Aama as secretary-general for the presidency

Rebel fighters kill at least 69 people in northeastern DR Congo

An attack by armed rebels has killed at least 69 people in Ituri province in the conflict-torn northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to security officials. For more than 30 years, the mineral-rich eastern DRC has been a battleground for various armed groups, vying for control of its many mines

Cruise ship hit by hantavirus outbreak arrives in Tenerife

The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has arrived near the Port of Granadilla in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius arrived at the Spanish port early on Sunday, escorted by a Civil Guard vessel, according to data from the maritime tracking service VesselFinder

Israel deports two Gaza aid flotilla activists

Israel has deported two foreign activists who had been abducted from a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists sailing with the flotilla when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy off the coast of the Greek island of Crete on April 30

Macron tours East Africa amid push to redefine France’s role in Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron has started a tour of East Africa as Paris seeks to rebuild its influence on the continent after a series of setbacks, especially in its former West African colonies. Macron began the three-country tour in Egypt on Saturday, which will also take him to Kenya and Ethiopia

Two wins, two losses: What India, Pakistan have learned a year after war

Islamabad, Pakistan – In Pakistan, May began with streets in major cities dotted with banners and posters honouring the military leadership that, in the official telling, guided the country’s defences and led the nation to victory in the four-day aerial war with India last year. At the Nur Khan Auditorium in the city of Rawalpindi on Thursday, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) held a ceremony marking its “achievements” in downing Indian jets

Past the Finishing Post

May 9, 2026Race ResultsRace 1Purse $600,0005YO&UP CLM($200,0 ONLY)N/E $180,0 SINCE JAN. 2, 2026Off At:12:116:51 PMDistance: 3 1/2 Fur.Track Condition: Dirt :FastWinning Time: 0:43.1Splits: 24.3 1

Massy sells Jamaica distribution arm at over J$2b loss

Massy Holdings Limited has booked a TT$105.3 million loss — equivalent to more than J$2.3 billion — on the sale of its Jamaican distribution subsidiary to a Trinidad and Barbados-backed consumer goods joint venture.The group sold Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited to Acado Limited, a joint venture equally owned by Trinidadian conglomerate Agostini Limited and Barbadian conglomerate Goddard Enterprises Limited. Massy chairman Robert Riley, in the company's financials released on Friday, explained that the loss did not reflect any operational weakness of the subsidiary

First Family of dragon boating emerges

Jamaica’s 1:01.82 in the mixed 200-metre event at last weekend’s Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival was not only a national record but also showcased a unique first-ever in the five-year history of the event held annually at Goodman’s Bay, Nassau, Bahamas.The Russells, Jamaica’s First Family of dragon-boat racing, fielded four family members in the final, lowering the national record from 1:04.79, achieved when historically winning bronze in the event last year.Chue Ping Wong Russell, matriarch of the Russell clan, was joined as paddler by her son, Clayton Jr (17), as well as daughters, Cassandra (19) and Danielle (22), whose signature douli (a Chinese straw hat) and aggressive drumming made her a standout for onlookers from the Cable Beach shoreline.“The family that plays together stays together,” said Chue Ping, adding with a laugh that her ever-present husband, Clayton, acts as “manager for the Russells”.Last year, Chue-Ping and her daughters, Danielle and Cassandra, joined by captain Denise Romero-Williams, were the four female members of the mixed team, which won Jamaica’s historic bronze as first-time participants.“We have always done everything together as a family. Last year was even more exhilarating that I was paddling right beside one of my daughters, Danielle, added Chue Ping,” a water-sport enthusiast, who was at first a ‘dragon-boat racing’ mom, dropping off and picking up her children, later accepting an invitation to try the sport.Making their foray into competitive dragon-boat racing at the inaugural Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival at Port Royal, May 30-June 1, 2025, the Russells represented Hydra Ja in the mixed event, ironically beaten by McKay Security, with whom they later travelled to The Bahamas in August as Team Jamaica.The Russells are raring to go for the second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival, June 13-14, especially with Bahamas aiming barbs and hard at training for a Jamaican invasion, two teams, joined by a third from Trinidad and Tobago.“We’re ready for them with Hydra Ja in the mixed and a strong Jamaica team in the open,” said Chue Ping, pointing out that Jamaica are already focused on next year’s Bahamas festival.“We want to break that time, 1:01.82, medal with a better time

Netball Jamaica presses for sponsor-funded strength coach ahead of Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Netball Jamaica's head coach says corporate or private backing is needed to hire a strength-and-conditioning specialist before the Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August, warning that missing fitness staff could hurt medal hopes.

WEST INDIES CHAMPIONSHIP - Pride, Red Force set to renew rivalry today

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):Barbados Pride and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will renew one of the fiercest regional cricketing rivalries when they clash in the eagerly anticipated semifinals of the West Indies Championship today.The two teams will do battle at the Coolidge Cricket Ground for a chance to meet the Guyana Harpy Eagles in next week’s final.Both teams qualified for the playoffs in contrasting fashion in their bilateral series, with the Red Force easing past the Leeward Islands Hurricanes while the Pride were made to fight tooth and nail before getting past the Jamaica Scorpions.Those results saw the Red Force finish in second position on 53.6 points, while the Pride placed third with 42.2.The Pride will be looking for revenge after being thrashed by the Red Force by an innings and 56 runs inside two days in their last encounter in 2025.Their confidence will be high heading into the playoff match, as they boast the most 300-plus team totals in the tournament and feature the competition’s leading scorer, Kevin Wickham, who has amassed 371 runs in four innings at an average of 123.66.The Pride’s bowling, however, has been an area of concern. In their three matches against the Scorpions, they only managed to take 20 wickets on a single occasion.In an effort to bolster their bowling attack, the Pride have replaced out-of-form fast bowler Jair McAllister with Akeem Jordan.Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said he was looking forward to an all-around performance from his side

Glasgow 2026: Jamaican netball selector Campbell breaks ground on Commonwealth Games umpire panel

Sylvester 'Chris' Campbell joins the Umpire Appointment Panel for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 23 July–2 August. A netball coach and official for 30 years, he is the first Jamaican man named to the panel and hopes others will follow.

Stardom Stuns We Jammin As Subratie Sweeps Kingston

Stardom’s 13-1 Kingston upset gave trainer Gary Subratie the first three places and reshaped expectations for next month’s 2000 Guineas after We Jammin was beaten.

CPL 2026: Every franchise keeps one Breakout Player before the draft

The six Caribbean Premier League clubs have each spent their sole pre-draft slot on a Breakout Player ahead of the 2026 draft; final squads will carry three such players and must use one in every match.

Francis Wade | The Productivity Numbers Haunting Every Government Leader

As a leader in the Jamaican government, you may be confronted by the economic situation we find ourselves in. While some colleagues are busy extracting personal gains when they can, you actually want to serve and contribute

Wallace disagrees with CWI player rest plan before Sri Lanka home series

Former West Indies opener Philo Wallace says senior players should be in the regional Championship sharpening up for next month's Sri Lanka tour, but CWI's cricket director Miles Bascombe insists nearly all the squad is already in match play.

Simpson, McMaster cop Rangers Sporting Clays titles

Craig Simpson and Aliana McMaster copped the coveted titles of HOA (highest overall) and Ladies champion respectively at last Sunday’s staging of the Rangers Gun Club Sporting Clays Classic on the expansive driving course at the Tru-Juice complex in Bog Walk, St Catherine.Approximately 145 shooters competed for top honours in various categories under punishing heat and high humidity throughout the day.Simpson missed his first target on Station 17 where he started his competition. He recovered and picked off the other five targets

BMW 220 Gran Coupe

US employers defy economic shock from Iran war and add a surprisingly strong 115,000 jobs in April

America's employers delivered a surprising 115,000 new jobs last month despite an economic shock from the Iran war.Hiring beat the 65,000 jobs forecasters had expected, though it decelerated from the 185,000 jobs created in March. The unemployment rate remained at a low 4.3 per cent, the Labor Department reported Friday.The Iran war has caused the biggest disruption of global oil supplies in history and sent average US gasoline prices surging past US$4.50 a gallon this week

Real Mona edge Cavalier 2-0 at Constant Spring to seal last JWPL Zone A semi-final berth

Real Mona beat Cavalier 2-0 at Constant Spring Sports Complex to finish second in Zone A on 17 points and join the Jamaica Women’s Premier League semi-finals, where they will meet Frazsiers Whip; Arnett face Los Perfectos in the other tie.

Man City stay with Arsenal, Liverpool boo more dropped points

Manchester, England (AP):Manchester City kept the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after beating Brentford 3-0 yesterday.Cheers rang around Etihad Stadium after second-half goals from Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and Omar Marmoush helped second-place City close the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points.It was a different atmosphere at Anfield, where Liverpool fans jeered as the defending champions dropped more points in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.Third-place Manchester United drew at Sunderland 0-0 while there were wins for Champions League-chasing Bournemouth and Brighton.CITY KEEPS TITLE HOPES ALIVEAnother big goal from Doku settled City nerves and kept manager Pep Guardiola in contention for a seventh Premier League title."I love it. I love to be here again," Guardiola said, adding he feels no tension in the heat of the title race.A well-organised Brentford managed to frustrate City until Doku came up with a moment of magic on the hour — curling a right-footed shot into the far corner.It was a near-carbon copy of his late equaliser against Everton that salvaged a 3-3 draw for Guardiola's team on Monday.That draw put the title race in Arsenal's hands, but victory against Brentford ensured the pressure remained on the Gunners to get a win at West Ham today."Come on you Irons!" Guardiola said at the end of his post-game news conference in reference to West Ham's nickname.Haaland bundled the ball over the line in the 75th for City's second and his 50th of the season for his club and national team Norway.Substitute Marmoush got the third in added time.JEERS FOR LIVERPOOLThe draw with Chelsea at Anfield saw Liverpool move a step closer to guaranteed Champions League qualification — fourth in the table with two rounds left — but another unconvincing performance sparked a frustrated reaction from the crowd.There were boos at the final whistle to mark growing unrest from Liverpool supporters in a season that has seen the team tamely surrender the title despite spending around US$570 million in the transfer market.There has been speculation about the job of coach Arne Slot, who insists there will be improvements next term."This season they (fans) will have their opinion, and it will not change, but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have, I am 100 per cent convinced we will be a different team next season," he said

It’s the playoffs

It's crunch time in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), with the first legs of the playoffs quarterfinals taking place this evening at the National Stadium, starting at 5 p.m.In the first game, first-time qualifiers Racing United take on seven-time champions Portmore United while in the feature game at 7:30 p.m., defending champions Cavalier go up against Waterhouse.Cavalier finished sixth in the regular season, qualifying only on the last day after a dramatic come-from-behind win over relegated Harbour View.Despite having a below-par season, assistant coach David Laylor believes their young players have come to the fore and are ready to put up a stout defence of their crown."Really one of our toughest seasons. We have been struggling

Roach battles hamstring setback ahead of West Indies-Sri Lanka Test series

West Indies veteran Kemar Roach has been ruled out of the rest of the County Championship with a hamstring injury and is now racing the clock to recover before the Caribbean's two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua.