Kingston, Jamaica (AFP) — Government Senator Christian Tavares-Finson, while supporting the Administration’s decision to continue withdrawing billions from the National Housing Trust (NHT) for budgetary support, has cautioned that such draw downs should not be permanent. Tavares-Finson gave the caution and his “strong support” during the debate in the Senate on Friday on the National Housing Trust (Amendment) (Special Provisions) Bill, 2026 which was subsequently passed without amendment
Kingston, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Zuleika Jess is calling for immediate and systemic reform of Jamaica’s policing accountability framework. Citing data from the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) that 133 people have been shot and killed by members of the security forces since the start of the year, an average of more than 26 per month, Jess expressed serious concern at the public response from the country’s most senior justice officials
Kingston, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Dayton Campbell, says it is time for Jamaica to establish a clear and structured youth in agriculture pipeline. “That pipeline should begin in our schools and continue through training, land access, financing, business development, and market opportunities,” said Campbell
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Police have identified the five-month-old baby who succumbed to injuries sustained in a three-vehicle crash on the Pepper main road in St Elizabeth on Saturday morning as Kemarala Forbes. Police said the baby suffered a laceration-type injury to the face
Monte CARLO, Principality of Monaco (AFP) — Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen was forced to retire on the very first lap of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday after an issue right from the front row of the grid. The four-time world champion, who had hoped to make a strong start to seize the lead — which is crucial in Monaco where overtaking is virtually impossible —- was stuck in place when the flag went up, a victim of a technical issue on his car
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica— A man succumbed to injuries he sustained in a three-vehicle collision on the Content main road near Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth on Saturday night. Police identified him as Llewlyn Johnson, 59, a resident of Prospect district, New Baalbec in Manchester
Kingston, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, Christopher Brown, has charged that the country is going in the wrong direction in relation to the building blocks of a modern economy. Using the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index which ranks 139 countries on whether they are genuinely building the systems that drive modern economies, Brown noted that in 2020 Jamaica ranked 72nd, falling to 83rd in 2025
The Israeli army has killed at least nine people and injured dozens of others across the Gaza Strip since dawn, according to information gathered by Al Jazeera, as Egypt began hosting a new round of talks with leaders from Hamas and other Palestinian factions to salvage a US-brokered “ceasefire”. Five people were killed in a strike on a police post in the al-Mawasi area near the southern city of Khan Younis, three were killed in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, and one person was killed on a beach in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza
Woman Found Dead with Throat Slashed in Mammee Bay, St AnnBy Mckoy's News / June 7, 2026 ST ANN, Jamaica: Woman found dead in Mammee Bayu— The St Ann Police are investigating the brutal murder of a woman whose body was discovered with her throat slashed in Mammee Bay early Saturday morning. Reports indicate that the gruesome discovery was made shortly before 5:00 a.m., prompting a police response to the area
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has requested a preliminary report from the Jamaica Public Service company (JPS) by Monday, following Friday night's island-wide power outage. The utilities regulator, in a statement on the matter, said it was seeking details on “the cause of the interruption, the sequence of events leading up to it, and the impact on the generation, transmission, and distribution systems, as well as on customers.” The OUR says it is also assessing the adequacy of the utility company's response and has requested information on corrective measures being implemented to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident
The US defence department has reportedly raised its assessment of the espionage threat posed by Israel to the highest category of “critical”, according to media reports citing American intelligence and defence officials. The assessment, first published by NBC News on Friday and followed by The New York Times, comes at a time when Washington is pursuing diplomatic engagement with Iran, while its ally Israel is opposed to the talks aimed at ending the conflict now 100 days long on Sunday
A PBCJ YouTube listing identified the event as JAAA/PUMA Meet 4, dated June 6, 2026. No venue, results or athlete details were provided in the source text.
News|Religion An oceanic crowd has filled the streets of the Spanish capital Madrid with chants, cheers and applause to greet Pope Leo XIV on the second day of a weeklong apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. The Vatican and local organisers said about 1.2 million people braved the heat to be present in the landmark Cibeles Square on Sunday in what is expected to be the largest event during his visit to the country
Russian forces have targeted a storage facility for spent nuclear fuel near Ukraine’s Chornobyl power plant, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The strike on Sunday significantly damaged a fuel-reception building metres away from where “large amounts of nuclear material” is stored, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which said it had been briefed by Ukraine
Malie Donn’s “Van Cleef” Tops Apple Music Jamaic, Artiste Surpasses 400M YouTube ViewsKaboom Editors20 minutes ago1 min readThe dancehall artiste continues his momentum as recent single “Van Cleef” dominates local charts while he surpasses 400 million total YouTube views, led by breakout hit “V6,” which recently crossed the 50 million views milestoneMalie Donn surpasses 400 million YouTube views (Photo: Stony Johnson)Dancehall artiste Malie Donn continues to strengthen his recent momentum as his latest single “Van Cleef” climbs to the No. 1 spot on Apple Music Jamaica, while also securing the top position on YouTube Jamaica’s Trending chart.The track is also on course to surpass 1 million views on YouTube, already amassing more than 850,000 views within just six days of its release.The new single arrives as the deejay surpassed 400 million total views on his official YouTube channel, led by his breakout hit “V6,” whose official music video recently crossed the 50 million views milestone
At least one man has been killed and five wounded in central Israel, Israeli medics have said, in what police called a suspected “terror attack”. Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom said a 35-year-old man died of gunshot wounds in the attack on Sunday, while the other casualties have been transferred to two hospitals
Voting is under way in Armenia’s parliamentary election, seen as a test of the government’s efforts to forge a peace deal with rival Azerbaijan and loosen ties with Moscow. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his ruling Civil Contract party are seeking a strong mandate to continue a geopolitical reorientation towards Europe and away from former imperial ruler Russia
There was a change in the emotion, cuz now I was faced with open heart surgery, which in any I understand it and I know it's pretty routine and that we have competent people in Jamaica. >> A life spent in service met a moment of stillness when Jamaica's national security minister Horace Chang underwent heart surgery
A Sunday news roundup covers a Hanover murder case, a JDF soldier held after a gun seizure in St Catherine, a St Ann homicide probe, and official denials linking the JPS blackout to the USS Nimitz or a JDF fire.
Luxury, celebration, and the art of living well will coalesce seamlessly this summer as part of Moët & Chandon’s first-ever exclusive year-long premium partnership in Jamaica with Round Hill Hotel and Villas. This was revealed on Thursday, June 4 to specially invited guests who enjoyed exclusive access to the offerings at an intimate soirée hosted by local distributors Select Brands along with representatives from both premium brands
Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has described last Friday’s islandwide power outage as “an embarrassment” while the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has blamed lightning damage to critical infrastructure for triggering a cascading grid failure that left the country without electricity and, in some instances, water. Regulators have given the power company 48 hours to submit a preliminary report and 30 days to provide a full report into the shutdown
Conspiracy theories that last Friday night’s all-island power outage was due to the arrival of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to Jamaica and a fire at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters were shut down by Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport Daryl Vaz, who said the claims were ludicrous and fake news. Addressing a press conference with representatives of Jamaica Public Service (JPS), on Saturday, to provide an update on the progress to restore power to the island, Vaz assured citizens that the outage was due to inclement weather which resulted in a system failure
After more than a decade and a half away from UK stages, dancehall star Charly Black is preparing for what he describes as one of the most significant performances of his career. The entertainer, whose UK visa was recently reinstated, is set to perform at Reggaeland Festival in August, marking his first appearance in the country since 2009
The loss of approximately 16,000 bee colonies following the passage of Hurricane Melissa has triggered what many describe as a honey shortage across Jamaica, deepening supply challenges in a market in which demand already exceeds supply. According to Hugh Smith, head of the Apiculture Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, the Category 5 storm resulted in an estimated $600 million in losses for the sector
The success of Jamaica’s senior women cricketers at the regional level continues to mystify many who follow the game. Early this year, the Jamaicans pulled off a stunning tournament turnaround to claim the regional Super50 Cup in St Vincent and the Grenadines
She sat across from me looking extremely defeated. Sandra, a 34-year-old schoolteacher, was extremely frustrated
July 2012. Doctorate in Obstetrics & Gynaecology complete
The recurring theme woven through the tributes for former minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Leslie Campbell was that of a man who rose through hardship, served others with humility, and left behind a legacy defined by integrity, faith, generosity, and unwavering commitment to family and community. Campbell, a respected attorney-at-law who served as a minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, a senator, chairman of the Sports Development Foundation, and deputy treasurer of the Jamaica Labour Party, was accorded an official funeral at Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston on Saturday
Westmoreland, Jamaica — Determined to make a lasting impression on the lives of Hurricane Melissa victims selected to receive modular homes, Operation Shelter Jamaica (OSJ) will also include an architectural plan that can be used expand the tiny homes. The private-sector led philanthropic initiative will also help with furniture
Gary Subratie saddles the leading hopes for today’s $3.75-million 2000 Guineas, with Stardom and Salute The Don renewing a rivalry shaped by their Kingston showdown.
Hopewell, Hanover — Stakeholders in Hanover have welcomed a combined Government grant of nearly $8.5 million presented to 56 churches to support clean-up, restoration, and rehabilitation efforts following the devastating impact of last October’s Hurricane Melissa. While the initiative has sparked public debate over whether State funds should be allocated to places of worship, local leaders argue that the critical role churches play in community resilience makes the assistance justified
Legacy Isle produced a record-setting run at Caymanas Park, lowering Eros’s 1991 seven-furlong mark. Dream Catcher also impressed, landing Saturday’s $3.75-million 1000 Guineas Classic for fillies.
Paris, France (AFP) — Mirra Andreeva has already come a long way from the heart of Siberia but on Saturday she fulfilled her “dream”, aged just 19, when she beat Maja Chwalinska in the French Open women’s final. She started playing tennis with her older sister Erika, also now a professional player, in Krasnoyarsk, some 4,000 kilometres east of Moscow
After 100 days, the US-Israel war on Iran remains unresolved, with Lebanon and Iran recording heavy casualties despite a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire announced in April.
One hundred days into the US-Israel war on Iran, governments across the world have shifted between condemnation, caution and mediation as oil prices, shipping disruptions and regional attacks spread the fallout.
News|Elections Voters in Kosovo headed to the polls for an early parliamentary election, the third in 18 months, in an attempt to unlock a political impasse in the small Balkan nation that is striving to join the European Union and NATO. Sunday’s ballot was scheduled after the main political parties failed to agree by a March deadline on who should replace former President Vjosa Osmani
Jamaican-born painter O'Neil Scott has used new work shown at EXPO Chicago to examine Jamaica's recovery after Hurricane Melissa and the wider meaning of resilience.
Twelve coaches, including two from the Cayman Islands, began an intensive, three-day, World Squash Federation (WSF) Level 2 Coaching Course at Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Friday. The course is sponsored by the Federation of Pan American Squash
Jamaica’s top-ranked women’s long jumper Nia Robinson will make her Wanda Diamond League debut in Stockholm, joining three other Jamaicans on the Bauhaus-Galan programme.
Throughout his career, Chaka Demus has worked with the top producers in reggae dancehall — Sly and Robbie, King Jammy, Bobby Digital, and Donovan Germain. Those collaborations prepared him when he began producing songs for his Bright Star Production
Four months after she was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2025 (the coronation was delayed due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa last year), Nevaeh Allen says she is in preparation mode for the Miss World finals scheduled to be held in Vietnam in September. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, Allen, a 19-year-old business and finance student at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), spoke about the highlight of her experience thus far holding the title
After Shania Hayles’ goal proved the difference as Jamaica’s women footballers edged the first of two international friendlies against Panama on Friday, Head Coach Hubert Busby praised the young players he “threw into the deep end”. Busby said the Reggae Girlz, who qualified for the last two FIFA World Cups, began brightly and controlled significant spells in the game before the brutal Panamanian heat became a factor in the 1-o win at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez in Panama City
The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) took employee wellness to another level with its recent wellness fair, combining health, education, and a little friendly competition to empower staff to live healthier, more balanced lives. Held at the DBJ head office on Oxford Road in Kingston, employees from various departments gathered for a day of learning, fun, and wellness-focused activities
Worship leader and gospel recording artiste Virginia R Miller recalls the time when she decided to give her life to the Lord. “I was 19 years old at the time, and my boyfriend at the time was physically and verbally abusing me
Funerals will be held for Lebanese officers killed in an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon, as Beirut’s army chief headed to Pakistan on a surprise visit amid ongoing mediation efforts in the wider United States-Israel war on Iran. The Lebanese soldiers will be laid to rest on Sunday, a day after the brigadier general, captain and soldier were killed in an Israeli strike on a military vehicle on the Khardali-Nabatieh road, in an incident the Israeli army said it was investigating
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has travelled to Iran to deliver a “special letter” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as part of diplomatic efforts to end the United States-Israeli war on Iran, which began 100 days ago. Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, late on Saturday, and met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni
News|US-Israel war on Iran The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it shot down a pair of Iranian drones threatening the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi landed in Tehran as part of new diplomatic efforts. Tehran responded with a salvo of missiles at US allies Bahrain and Kuwait on Saturday, drawing condemnation from the Gulf countries and piling pressure on a shaky ceasefire agreed on April 8
