Jamaica

Stephen Francis, a Jamaican track and field coach who co-founded the MVP Track & Field Club and trained multiple Olympic and world champions, died at 64. His work transformed Jamaica into a sprinting powerhouse and inspired athletes across the Caribbean.

Stephen Francis, a Jamaican track and field coach who co-founded the MVP training club and coached multiple Olympic and world champions, died at 64. His work transformed Jamaica into a sprinting powerhouse and earned him national recognition, including the Order of Jamaica in 2017.

Suella Braverman, a right-wing politician, called for Britain’s former colonies to pay reparations for the empire’s 'investment,' claiming the British Empire contributed to building them. The article refutes her claims, citing historical compensation to slave owners and research showing Britain looted resources from colonies like India.

A 2026 law targets countries complicit in Cuba's exploitation of medical professionals by imposing penalties such as aid cuts and travel bans. The U.S. State Department has listed nations using Cuban doctors under coercive conditions, leading some to reduce participation. The legislation aims to cut financial support to the Cuban regime and protect doctors from exploitation.

Jamaica secured a $200 million parametric hurricane bond in May 2025 through a World Bank-facilitated catastrophe bond, its largest to date. The previous bond paid out $150 million in full after Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025 but did not pay out following Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Food for the Poor is preparing for reconstruction in northern Venezuela following 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that exacerbated an existing humanitarian crisis. Cesar Guevara, a director at the nonprofit, is coordinating efforts to send $20,000 to partners for immediate aid and planning future projects to rebuild collapsed buildings in coastal towns like Caraballeda and Catia La Mar.

A fire involving lithium-ion batteries injured four people, two seriously, in Queens early Friday morning. The incident occurred in the basement of a house at 172-12 91st Ave. in Jamaica, according to the FDNY.

Reva Haughton, who became blind after a battery acid attack in Jamaica 26 years ago, received new furniture and a computer from City Home through Help Me Howard. The initiative provided her with a new home setup, including a love seat and storage, after 20 years in her apartment. Haughton expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the community's assistance in improving her living conditions.

Jamaica's tourism sector has transitioned from recovery to a growth phase, with over 1.5 million visitors generating $1.5 billion in foreign exchange from January to May 2026. Sandals is investing $200 million in the country, and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett confirmed the sector's growth following Hurricane Melissa.

Jamaica’s economy shrank by 5.9% in Q1 2026 due to Hurricane Melissa, with damages, losses, and added costs reaching $12.2 billion—equivalent to 56.7% of the island’s 2024 output. Mining and agriculture sectors fell by 26.6% and 20.3%, respectively, while tourism lodging was also impacted.

Jamaica is negotiating with the United States to accept deportees from third countries under a new agreement allowing up to 25 individuals every two weeks. The opposition People's National Party criticizes the plan, citing risks to national security and infrastructure, while the government emphasizes it as a structured process for transferring migrants to their final destinations.

Jamaica is in talks with the U.S. to accept third-country deportees under a Trump administration immigration policy. The agreement, pending final details, would allow up to 25 non-Jamaican migrants every two weeks, with opposition criticizing the move as risky to national security and social infrastructure.

Jamaica is negotiating with the U.S. to accept up to 25 third-country deportees every two weeks under a proposed agreement with the Department of Homeland Security. The move faces opposition in Jamaica over security and social risks, while the U.S. has used similar arrangements to deport over 19,000 people to third countries, including Mexico and other Caribbean and African nations.

Reva Haughton, a Jamaica-born woman blinded by a battery acid attack 26 years ago, now lives in South Florida. After reaching out to Help Me Howard, she is receiving new furniture from City Home to update her Miami Gardens apartment.

The Supreme Court will decide whether noncitizens can be detained for extended periods without bond hearings, following a case involving two green card holders convicted of aggravated felonies. A federal appeals court in New York ruled in 2024 that due process requires bond hearings for prolonged detention, but the Trump administration appealed, arguing the decision was misguided.

Jamaican activists are challenging a colonial-era law in court to prevent the privatization of beaches, arguing that handing shorelines to private hotel chains benefits outsiders while harming locals who rely on the sea. They demand 'free, legal, unfettered, forever rights' to beach access.

Jamaican activists are challenging the privatization of coastal areas, arguing that the tourism model disproportionately benefits elites while restricting access for most Jamaicans. A court case focuses on protecting public access to the Mammee Bay shoreline in St Ann, which activists say has historically supported local communities through fishing, recreation, and trade.

A South Florida woman, Elaine Escoe, is among the FBI’s inaugural Most Wanted Fraudsters for allegedly stealing $32 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. She faces charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with a $150,000 reward offered for her arrest.

The FBI has added Elaine Escoe, a South Florida woman, to its Most Wanted Fraudster list for allegedly orchestrating a $32 million scheme involving fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program applications. She faces charges including wire fraud and money laundering, with a reward of up to $150,000 offered for information leading to her arrest.

Jamaica experienced an islandwide blackout on June 5 due to a cascading grid failure. Power was restored by Saturday morning, and the government called the outage unacceptable, ordering an investigation.

Minister Daryl Vaz addressed a rare islandwide blackout in Jamaica, calling the situation 'unacceptable' and confirming power had been restored nationwide.

Jamaica experienced a rare islandwide blackout overnight, affecting all 2.8 million residents. The Jamaica Public Service Company attributed the outage to lightning near substations and grid infrastructure. As of Saturday morning, power had been restored to 500,000 of 700,000 customers, with full restoration expected soon.

Jamaica experienced a rare islandwide blackout, leaving the entire island without power overnight. The national electricity provider is working to restore service.

A Jamaican police officer, Constable Andrew Wilson, has been charged with murder for shooting Latoya Bulgin during a protest over a prior police shooting. He appeared in court, was denied bail, and a hearing is set for mid-June.

A Jamaican police officer has been charged with murder for fatally shooting 45-year-old Latoya 'Buju' Bulgin, whose killing sparked violent protests in Granville. The incident occurred during a demonstration organized in response to another police shooting, and concerns were raised over the lack of a body camera and the handling of Bulgin's body by officers.

Food For The Poor began hurricane season preparations in November by pre-positioning emergency supplies like wipes, gloves, blankets, and tarps in vulnerable regions across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization emphasizes the critical role of pre-planning to ensure immediate aid delivery during the first 24–72 hours after a storm, as highlighted by officials Kivette Silvera and Kyle Morris.

A shortage of Scotch bonnet peppers, caused by hurricanes, disease, and pests in Jamaica, has led to a tenfold price increase for the crop. This has driven up Caribbean hot sauce prices, with US demand being a key factor. Producers are shifting to hardier crops like sweet potatoes, while manufacturers invest in genetics research to develop more resilient Scotch bonnet strains.

Local 10 is hosting a hurricane preparedness special covering the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the use of artificial intelligence in forecasting, and a historical look at the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane. The broadcast features meteorologists Michael Lowry and Betty Davis, airing at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Caribbean hot sauce producers are warning of potential shortages and higher prices due to limited supply of key chilli peppers in Jamaica.

Jamaica is considering oil drilling after hydrocarbon discoveries in seabed tests, which could reduce its annual fuel import costs of $1.5-2bn. The move raises questions about reconciling fossil fuel production with the country's green energy commitments.

The Trump administration has left over 100 ambassadorships unfilled, including key positions with allies, undermining traditional diplomacy. Political appointments to friends and donors, such as Kari Lake to Jamaica, reflect a disdain for professional diplomats and exacerbate diplomatic tensions.

Jamaican MP Nekeisha Burchell's attempt to speak Jamaican Patois during her maiden speech in parliament has reignited debate about parliamentary language rules that require English only. The controversy highlights tensions around postcolonial identity and the Westminster system's continued influence in Jamaica.

A UK/Jamaica citizen has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges related to an international lottery scam. The case involves criminal activity connected to fraudulent lottery schemes operating across borders. The guilty plea represents a significant development in prosecuting financial crimes linked to lottery fraud operations.

A woman named Latoya Bulgin was shot dead by police in Jamaica during a protest over a previous police shooting. The incident occurred in Granville, St James, and an investigation has been launched. CCTV footage of the fatal shooting has circulated online.

A NYC accountant was murdered during a birthday trip to Jamaica with her husband, who is a person of interest in the investigation. The victim sent disturbing final messages, including 'Call the cops... It's a pink house'. The incident is currently under investigation.

Donald Trump has nominated Kari Lake as the next US ambassador to Jamaica, ending her tenure as a key official at Voice of America. Lake is a former TV anchor and longtime ally of Trump who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor. The nomination requires Senate confirmation.

A 36-year-old NYC woman died during her birthday trip to Jamaica after her husband dropped her off at a hospital and then disappeared. The incident is under investigation by the authorities. The woman's husband is currently being sought by the police for questioning.

President Trump nominated Kari Lake as the US ambassador to Jamaica, replacing Scott, following her tenure at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The nomination was announced in a White House press release and requires Senate confirmation. Lake's appointment is a new development in her career.

President Donald Trump has nominated Kari Lake and Doug Mastriano to diplomatic posts as ambassadors to Jamaica and Slovakia respectively. Both nominations require Senate confirmation. They previously lost gubernatorial bids in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Zahir Davis, 18, was arrested in Jamaica and returned to New York to face murder charges for the April 16 killing of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in a Queens park. The incident sparked public outrage and criticism of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's response, with former Mayor Eric Adams condemning the lack of immediate attention to the shooting.