Antigua and Barbuda (AFP) — A double-century by relative newcomer Amir Jangoo and 194 from captain Roston Chase put the West Indies in a commanding position with the sixth-wicket pair’s partnership of 401 lifting the home side to a mammoth first innings total of 626 for nine declared on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday. Sri Lanka, who looked a dispirited lot, completely bereft of ideas in the field for almost the entire day, lost Pathum Nissanka to Jayden Seales before the close of play, leaving them at 15 for one in the second innings, trailing by 303 runs going into day four
Kingston, Jamaica — The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Jamaica’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as the country joins the international community in observing World MSME Day. According to a release, the observance, being held under the theme “Human-Centred Entrepreneurship in an AI-Driven Future,” highlights the vital role MSMEs play in driving economic growth, employment and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby has raised yearly divisional allocations from $10 million to $13 million for road works and rebuked Jamaica Labour Party councillors over weak attendance at Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation meetings during a Vineyard Town conference.
Hydrate Caribbean Jamaica will place hydration stations at eight schools across Kingston and St Andrew, including Tarrant High and Kingston Technical High, to raise water intake and curb sugary drink use among students.
Opposition lawmakers challenged Jamaica’s third-country nationals arrangement with the United States over human rights and capacity gaps, while the PNP renewed calls for Minister Andrew Wheatley to leave cabinet after an integrity probe flagged a large unexplained wealth increase.
The Senate, on Friday (June 26), approved the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act, 2026, which aims to strengthen Jamaica’s aviation industry and ensure that the nation’s civil aviation laws fully align with international standards and obligations. The legislation was passed without amendments during the Senate’s sitting at Gordon House
Defending champions St Catherine stretched their advantage on the second day of the 41st JTA Sagicor National Athletics Championships in Kingston, with record relay runs and middle-distance doubles shaping the parish race.
Clarendon-born singer Freddie McGregor marks his 70th birthday on June 27, looking back on Bobby Babylon, 1980s hits, and recovery from a 2022 stroke as peers praise his musicianship.
Hon. Delano Seiveright told the Jamaica International Beauty Expo that the local beauty and personal care industry could earn roughly US$250 million each year, with JAMPRO backing the sector as a major export opportunity.
Kingston, Jamaica — Kings Football Academy’s qualification for next season’s Jamaica Football Championships has been described as “a massive step” by coach Veron Peterkin, after the St Ann club became one of two teams to secure promotion from the JFC Qualifying competition on Wednesday. Kings Football Academy beat Axum SC 3-1 to top Group B, while York United of St Thomas edged Brown’s Town 1-0 to top Group A
Dancehall artist Roze Don is set to drop his 25-song project Don't Count Me Out mid-summer while preparing July US dates and an August Canada tour after his Shakespeare collaboration on Instruction Time.
The Ministry of National Security has rejected reports that third country nationals will be placed in St Mary, calling the claims misleading and urging Jamaicans to check official sources before sharing unverified information online.
State Minister Delano Seiveright told the Jamaica International Beauty Expo in Kingston that registering businesses unlocks financing, grants, e-commerce reach, and supply contracts with major buyers.
Bahamian reggae singer Demarco Grant, performing as Righteous Teacher, has reached number three on the United States iTunes Reggae chart for the first time through his collaboration with dancehall artist Busy Signal on Give Thanks.
A juror prayed on her knees in open court during the trial of six policemen accused in a 2013 triple killing, while a music producer was cleared of rape and opposition senators challenged Jamaica's agreement to receive third-country nationals from the United States.
The National Council on Drug Abuse led World No Tobacco Day activities at Meadowbrook High School in Kingston, telling students that about 420,000 Jamaican youths use nicotine and that vaping carries serious health risks despite common misconceptions.
Jamaican digital commerce platform Giftme marked five years of operation on June 23, honouring high-performing retail partners and unveiling Giftme Travel, which lets users book flights and hotels while earning cashback rewards.
A $3.7-billion contract has been signed for the design and construction of Jamaica’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEAM) Academy. The school, which will be situated at the Greater Bernard Lodge Development area in Dunbeholden, St
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has asked the public to report reckless and dangerous driving without putting themselves at risk. The initiative supports a new demerit point system set to begin on October 1.
Minister Daryl Vaz says Jamaica's new demerit point regime will promote lawful driving and cut crashes. Motorists are urged to clear outstanding tickets before the September 30, 2026 deadline.
A general practitioner with aesthetics training says more women and men are seeking minimally invasive options such as lipo shots, IV vitamin drips and weekly GLP-1 injections for targeted fat loss and skin rejuvenation.
A St. Catherine labourer accused of fatally stabbing his nephew during an argument over television volume while watching a World Cup match has been released on bail. The roundup also covers a Montego Bay job scam, a Spanish Town police shooting, and US sweepstakes fraud charges against five Jamaicans.
Opposition Senator Lambert Brown and Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson traded sharp words Friday over the third-country nationals arrangement, as debate on aviation legislation exposed wider tensions about immigration policy and worker protection.
Despite attempts to stop her, a female juror on Friday insisted on praying at the close of the day’s proceedings in the murder trial of six policemen in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston. The six cops are on trial in relation to the January 12, 2013 shooting deaths of Matthew Lee, Ucliffe Dyer and Mark Allen
The grounds of the United States (US) Embassy in St Andrew came alive on Wednesday evening as representatives of all segments of the Jamaican society partied with representatives of its key international ally for that country’s big birthday bash. Public affairs attaché at the US Embassy in Kingston Michael Lavallee (left) shares lens time with Minister of Education Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon (centre) and Shorna-Kay Richards, former Jamaica ambassador to Japan
The return of Mound Mania during the West Indies–Sri Lanka home series turned Sabina Park's famous mound into a live entertainment hub, pairing cricket with music, food and upgraded hospitality as the hosts claimed a 2-1 T20 win.
Market Bag's new season opens with a Kingston market survey showing steep rises in onion, lettuce and ginger prices, as shopper Angella Byfield explains how she swaps items to cope with climbing grocery bills.
Jamaica’s Senate on 26 June 2026 approved the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2026 after debate on ICAO compliance, drone oversight, and accident investigations. Opposition senators backed the reforms but pressed for stronger transparency and accountability safeguards.
Kingston, Jamaica — Defending champions St Catherine are making their bid for a consecutive title very clear, leading by 14 points after day 1 of the 41st JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. More than 1,200 athletes representing all 14 parishes began their pursuit in disciplines on the track and in the field
A too-little-known or appreciated fact is that Jamaica is among the world’s leaders in research and understanding and treatment of sickle cell disease.Indeed, people in Jamaica who have sickle cell, a disease that primarily affects black populations. According to the medical journal Lanclet, the Caribbean has the highest incidence of the disease outside of west Africa.Sickle cell is a genetic disorder of red blood cells, where persons get abnormal genes from both parents
Deacon Gloria McFarlane Flemming’s official job title at Ardenne High School, spanning five generations of graduates, was bursar. She monitored cash inflows, examined bills, and dispatched cheques, and much more
Western BUREAU:Despite reduced hotel capacity following Hurricane Melissa, Dream Entertainment expects up to 30,000 visitors to descend on Montego Bay for this year's Dream Weekend, betting that the city's growing network of villas, guesthouses and short-term rentals will comfortably absorb them.The confidence is shared by the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will host three of the festival's signature events in what executive director Mureen James describes as one of the facility's most significant entertainment partnerships to date.James said the collaboration reflects Montego Bay's growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting large-scale entertainment events while expanding beyond its traditional role as a venue for conferences, meetings and weddings."Hosting three signature Dream Weekend events represents one of the most significant entertainment partnerships for the Centre," James told The Gleaner.She said the partnership reinforces Montego Bay's evolution as a year-round destination for business events, leisure tourism and world-class entertainment, while generating business for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and other tourism stakeholders.For Dream Entertainment group managing director Scott Dunn, concerns that reduced hotel capacity would limit the festival's success have proven unfounded."Numbers don't lie," Dunn said. "Montego Bay still has the most room stock on the island."While acknowledging that several hotels remain closed following Hurricane Melissa, Dunn said Montego Bay's diverse accommodation offerings have made the difference.Unlike destinations that rely primarily on hotels, he said Montego Bay boasts an extensive inventory of luxury villas, guesthouses and Airbnb-style properties that appeal to Dream Weekend's predominantly international audience."Our demographic is more than 80 per cent women," Dunn said
Jamaica’s Court of Appeal has overturned murder, firearm, and wounding convictions against a man who spent years in prison, ruling that a trial judge should have thrown out weak eyewitness identification tied to a 2018 August Town shooting.
Kingston, Jamaica — The Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards celebrated 27 years of the event with a resilience-themed staging on Thursday, June 25, and local company CHEW walked away with the award for Best Food Item. Zoë Dawkins, the mind behind CHEW, which stands for Cook Happily Eat Wholesomely, won the award jointly with Nation’s Choice, recognised for their curry goat burger
The Senate Standing Orders Committee met on June 26, 2026 to clarify draft rules on private members' bills, especially clause 82(15)(C). Members accepted legal explanations but deferred final approval so Senator Golding Campbell can review the minutes.
A 40-year-old music producer has been acquitted of rape after a Kingston Supreme Court judge upheld a no-case submission. Defence lawyers cited major inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony during the five-day trial.
Official Bank of Jamaica figures show the US dollar closed at J$157.77 on Friday, June 26, gaining eight cents, while the Canadian dollar and British pound also finished higher against the Jamaican currency.
Veteran coach Anthony Patrick has taken charge of Spanish Town Police FC shortly after Racing United dismissed him. He is expected to lead the relegated St Catherine club back into the Jamaica Premier League.
Opposition Senator Lambert Brown told the Senate on Friday that Jamaica's third-country national transit pact with the United States could channel unwanted migrants through the island, pointing to remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Private-sector bodies and church leaders joined growing demands for Dr. Andrew Wheatley to leave Cabinet pending court proceedings, as Jamaica advanced new agreements with Guyana, aviation reforms, and quake relief for Venezuela.
A man died in a Spanish Town shootout with police, the demerit system starts October 1, twenty Haitians were sent home from Portland, and St. Ann reports falling major crime alongside court and murder updates.
St. Catherine Cricket Club and Melbourne are facing off in the three-day JCA Michael Holding Senior Cup final at Sabina Park, with the Saints chasing a second title in four seasons and Melbourne pushing for a first championship in nearly ten years.
Manchester Spurs enter Friday's Red Stripe Elite Netball semifinals at the National Indoor Sports Centre as the top seed after a perfect preliminary run, with St. Ann Orchids, Kingston Hummingbirds, and St. Catherine Racers also chasing final berths.
Opposition Senator Dr. Floyd Morris has urged Parliament to roster at least two sign language interpreters after another Senate session opened without one present. Senate President Tom Tavares Finson says the House Clerk will work with Morris to resolve the issue.
Day one of the 2026 JTA Sagicor National Athletics Championships brought fast times and tight parish rivalry at Kingston’s National Stadium. Defending champions St Catherine topped early standings as qualifiers were decided across sprints, middle distance and relays.
A Florida ex-soldier was sentenced for killing Portland mason Craig Senior in 2022, while Few Children Foundation demanded a probe into a viral off-duty police incident on a JUTC bus. Portland police also returned 28 Haitian migrants, and a correctional officer said pay stopped during his appeal.
For Immediate Release June 26, 2026 One Great Studio Appoints Global Marketing Strategist Peter Lloyd to Its Board …brings 15 years of regional brand-building experience to the Group’s next phase of growth. KINGSTON, Jamaica: One Great Studio Company Limited (1GS) has appointed Peter Lloyd, global marketing strategist and commercial executive, to its Board of Directors, e ective June 24, 2026
Recording artiste Nyle Banks is spreading a message of positivity and motivation with his latest track, Progress & Greatness, produced by Guxxie Music and Top Global Production and released earlier this month. According to the artiste, whose real name is Nicholas Levy, the song was created to inspire young people to focus on growth and purpose rather than negative influences and fleeting trends
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, has charged the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ) to maintain a high standard of content monitoring for the advancement of the nation
Mourners gathered at Stella Maris Church for the official funeral of retired jurist Ian Xavier Forte, OJ, CD, KC. Tributes recalled his decades on the bench, his public service, and his devotion to family and faith.
