LONDON, United Kingdom – In a landmark policy announcement made from Downing Street on Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to introduce a full national ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, framing major platforms as a direct threat to young people’s mental wellbeing.
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Dominican Republic to host Ibero-American film industry meetings
The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is set to welcome hundreds of regional media and cultural leaders in mid-2026, after being selected to host two of Ibero-America’s most important audiovisual industry gatherings. From June 22 to 26, the Hemingway Club in the coastal community of Juan Dolio will serve as the primary venue for both the 48th Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of Audiovisual and Cinematographic Authorities of Ibero-America (CAACI) and the annual Ibermedia Program Meeting. Local organizers, led by the country’s Ministry of Culture and General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), say the selection cements the Dominican Republic’s rising influence across the regional film and media landscape.
The five-day event will draw top film regulators, government cultural delegates, and independent audiovisual sector executives from more than 20 Ibero-American nations. Attendees will dedicate time to collaborative discussions across a range of pressing industry topics, including frameworks for deeper cross-border cooperation, expanded routes for regional film circulation across international markets, new avenues for collaborative co-production projects, and actionable strategies to boost the resilience and growth of the audiovisual sector across the region.
Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, Director General of DGCINE, emphasized that the decision to hold the summits in the Dominican Republic is far more than a logistical arrangement: it represents a vote of confidence from the entire Ibero-American audiovisual community in the country’s trajectory, and formalizes its standing as a central, strategic player in the regional industry. This 2026 gathering will also mark an unprecedented milestone for the Ibermedia Program, the leading regional funding and support initiative for Ibero-American cinema. For the first time since the program’s founding in 1997, member nations will gather to elect a new technical and executive secretary, a process that will shape the program’s direction for years to come.
Local cultural authorities have framed the hosting opportunity as long-overdue international recognition of the Dominican film industry’s rapid progress over the past decades, as well as the country’s expanding role in global cultural cooperation frameworks. To complement the official working meetings, organizers have planned a public-facing Ibero-American Film Series, which will screen standout productions from across the region at three iconic Dominican venues: the Cinemateca Dominicana, the historic Fortaleza Ozama, and the host venue Hemingway Club. The film series is designed to open the summits to local audiences and deepen cross-cultural connection through the shared art of cinema.
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Dominican Defense Minister meets with U.S. Southern Command delegation
In high-level diplomatic defense talks held in Santo Domingo, senior military leaders from the Dominican Republic and the United States have moved to solidify decades of collaborative ties, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening bilateral military cooperation. The gathering brought together Dominican Republic Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre with a high-ranking delegation from United States Southern Command, headed by the command’s Deputy Commander Evan Pettus and senior enlisted leader Rafael Rodríguez.
Discussion at the meeting centered on multiple priority areas designed to strengthen collaborative work across the two nations’ armed forces. Key agenda items included advancing joint action in regional security, expanding tailored military training opportunities, boosting the operational capacity of both defense forces, developing advanced professional military education programs, and improving tactical interoperability between the two countries’ military units. Beyond these core focus areas, participating officials also exchanged perspectives on new initiatives to upgrade military readiness, drive forward the modernization of defense infrastructure and equipment, and support continuous professional growth for service members from both nations.
Both delegations used the meeting to restate their shared dedication to growing joint defense programs that deliver tangible benefits to regional stability. Leaders emphasized that the long-standing strategic partnership between the Dominican Republic and the United States has been carefully built over generations of collaboration, spanning everything from targeted technical assistance and large-scale training initiatives to regular professional exchanges between military personnel. This latest high-level visit serves as a public demonstration of the ongoing strength of this defense relationship, and signals both nations’ intent to continue expanding cooperative work to address shared security challenges in the region.
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Banco Popular to channel US$50 million from ICO into tourism, energy, and strategic sectors
In a move designed to deepen bilateral economic cooperation between the Dominican Republic and Spain, Banco Popular Dominicano has secured a new flexible financing agreement worth up to $50 million from Spain’s state-owned Official Credit Institute (ICO). This collaboration is targeted at empowering business initiatives that strengthen commercial and investment links between the two Iberian-American nations, with core goals including boosting productive capital flows, simplifying cross-border trade operations, and opening up new accessible financing channels for enterprises active in both markets.
This latest agreement marks the third round of financing that Banco Popular has obtained through ICO’s International Channel Line program. Cumulatively, the Spanish public financial institution has now committed a total of $150 million to the Dominican bank across the three partnership rounds. The ongoing collaboration has already helped hundreds of companies across both nations address working capital gaps, meet urgent liquidity requirements, and scale up bilateral export activities that drive job creation and economic output on both sides.
The newly allocated $50 million will be channeled to high-priority strategic sectors that underpin both economies. Key target areas include tourism, power generation, infrastructure construction, real estate development, and hospitality – all critical growth drivers for the Dominican Republic. Additional funding will also be directed to forward-looking projects focused on environmental sustainability, improved energy efficiency, technological innovation, and widespread digital transformation across industries. Banco Popular emphasized that this financing framework aligns fully with the institution’s long-standing pledge to advance responsible banking practices and inclusive, sustainable economic development across the Dominican Republic.
This new agreement builds on Banco Popular’s already robust track record of supporting the country’s productive sector. Official data from the Dominican Superintendency of Banks shows that as of March 2026, the institution’s total business loan portfolio hit RD$395 billion, with nearly 45 percent of that sum – equal to RD$178.3 billion – allocated to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of the Dominican economy. Beyond direct financing, Banco Popular supplements its lending support with a range of auxiliary services, including user-friendly digital banking solutions for businesses, targeted skills training programs for company leaders, and dedicated initiatives to nurture new entrepreneurship across the country.
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MSF warns of ‘dangerous gaps’ in Ebola response in DR Congo
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – International medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym MSF) sounded an urgent alarm Monday, highlighting that devastating, unaddressed gaps continue to hobble containment efforts against a fast-moving Ebola outbreak that has already claimed more than 180 lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
While global and local response teams have expanded their operations substantially since the outbreak was formally declared in the vast Central African nation on May 15, MSF emphasized that the full magnitude of the public health crisis remains shrouded in uncertainty. A month into the official response, the spread of the virus is still outpacing intervention work, according to Kate White, MSF’s emergency medical coordinator for the DRC.
“No-one knows the true scale or exactly where the disease is spreading,” White stated in an official briefing. “What we do know is that most treatment centres in Ituri province are overwhelmed; many of our patients arrive at a late stage of the disease, and the majority were never identified or monitored as contacts before seeking care.”
Latest official data from the World Health Organization puts the current confirmed caseload at 782 infections and 181 deaths within the DRC, with an additional 19 cases and two fatalities recorded in neighboring Uganda. MSF cautioned that actual infection and death numbers are almost certainly far higher than the confirmed counts.
The current outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a variant for which there are no widely approved vaccines or targeted treatments. The epicenter of the outbreak is northeastern DRC’s Ituri province, with spillover cases also detected in the adjacent North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Ebola, which spreads through close physical contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids, causes life-threatening hemorrhagic fever; public health investigators confirm the virus circulated undetected for several weeks in local communities before the outbreak was formally announced.
Persistent insecurity across affected regions has blocked access to many at-risk communities, MSF reported. Even in areas with relatively stable security conditions, core response work including case detection, patient testing, contact identification, and transmission monitoring remains inadequate, the organization added.
White pointed to diagnostic testing as one of the most crippling weaknesses in the current response. While laboratory capacity has been expanded in recent weeks and mobile testing kits specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain have started arriving in eastern DRC, many remote communities still lack access to these critical tools. At the same time, overstretched testing infrastructure has led to substantial delays in returning results to treatment facilities, and North Kivu currently operates just a single laboratory capable of processing Ebola test samples.
“Without faster and more widely available testing, we will struggle to detect cases early enough to contain the outbreak,” White warned.
Over the past half century, Ebola outbreaks have killed more than 15,000 people across Africa. The DRC’s previous deadliest outbreak, recorded between 2018 and 2020, killed nearly 2,300 people among 3,500 confirmed cases. Infectious disease experts have repeatedly warned that without immediate, targeted action to close response gaps, the current outbreak could grow to match the scale of the 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people and infected more than 28,000 across the region.
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Vybrid to release Outlet visualiser
Jamaican-bred, Atlanta-based recording artist Vybrid, born Ashley Howard Johnson, is set to premiere the official visual accompaniment for his deeply personal single *Outlet* on June 17, crafting a project centered on the underdiscussed topics of mental wellness, self-compassion, and personal resilience.
Helmed by production outfit LoudSpeakr, with audio mixing and mastering handled by CheekyDon Music, *Outlet* confronts a critical societal conversation that often remains sidelined in mainstream music. The track encourages audiences to seek out healthy coping mechanisms for life’s inevitable hardships, while reinforcing a core message that no one has to navigate their struggles alone. For Vybrid, the release carries far more weight than a typical new music drop, rooted in authentic personal connection to the material.
“What draws me most to this track and its accompanying visualiser is the raw authenticity and unfiltered emotion woven through every part of it,” Vybrid shared in an interview. “This gives me the chance to connect with audiences and shine a much-needed light on an issue that is too often pushed out of public view.”
The visualiser, edited by CDflymz, is designed to amplify the track’s core message through evocative visual storytelling, and includes a special cameo appearance from artist Ccuz, with cameo footage captured and edited by Kontrol The Town. LoudSpeakr, the lead producer on the track, emphasized that the project is intended to serve a purpose far beyond casual entertainment.
“I’m so proud that both the song and visualiser work together to push mental health awareness and encourage overall well-being,” LoudSpeakr explained. “*Outlet* pushes people to seek out positive coping strategies for life’s challenges, and the visualiser brings that message to life in a way that feels meaningful and engaging for audiences.”
This *Outlet* collaboration marks the second successful joint project between Vybrid and LoudSpeakr, following the April release of the track *Grip*, which was featured on the well-received 1876 Riddim. The producer spoke highly of the creative dynamic between the two, praising Vybrid’s commitment to purpose-driven music. “Working on this project has been incredible,” he said. “Vybrid is tremendously talented, endlessly creative, and truly passionate about making music that matters, which makes collaborating with him such a pleasure.”
Vybrid echoed that positive assessment, highlighting the natural creative chemistry that has developed between the two artists. “Every experience I’ve had working with LoudSpeakr has been amazing,” he said. “I’ve learned so much about the music industry working alongside them. There’s no ego between us — just two people who love what we do, which makes creating together easy and completely authentic.”
Vybrid has built a growing industry reputation for his artistic versatility, refusing to box himself into a single musical genre. Whether crafting a high-energy dancehall bop, a soulful reggae ballad, or a smooth, sultry R&B cut, his creative direction is always guided by the emotional mood and core message he wants to share with listeners. Born in the Richmond Park community of St. Andrew, Jamaica to Guyanese parents who studied at the University of the West Indies, Vybrid later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he has continued to refine his craft and grow his audience. Over the course of his career, he has opened for iconic reggae and dancehall acts including Spragga Benz, Ky-Mani Marley, Junior Reid, Dexta Daps, and Mr Vegas, and has collaborated with a roster of renowned producers including Patexx, SlayBad, and Delly Ranx, among others.
With the upcoming release of *Outlet*, Vybrid hopes audiences leave the experience with a renewed sense of self-worth and connection to community. “My biggest hope is that listeners take away that no one is alone on this journey we call life, but that change starts with self-love,” he explained. “It’s about realizing that confidence in yourself is the foundation, and also lifting other people up when they’re struggling with self-doubt.”
LoudSpeakr shares that same core goal for the release. “I hope audiences connect with the message and feel inspired to seek out positive, healthy outlets in their own lives,” he said. “If even one person is encouraged by this video to keep moving forward and make healthier choices for themselves, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”
Beyond the upcoming drop of *Outlet*, the release also serves as a preview of a much larger collaborative project currently in the works. Vybrid and LoudSpeakr are putting the final touches on a full EP that will showcase the artist’s range across genres and highlight his artistic growth in recent years.
“The upcoming EP we’ve been working on is going to stand on its own, with incredible quality and real substance that listeners can connect with,” Vybrid said. “We’re blending really unique sounds and styles to create something really special.” According to LoudSpeakr, the project is currently around 90% complete, with a full release scheduled before the end of the calendar year. The EP will pull from reggae and dancehall influences across all tracks, which will all be mixed and mastered by CheekyDon Music, and the lead single for the project is set to be *Nah Lie*.
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Zagga, Tarrus Riley deliver I’m Alright vid
Two of Jamaica’s most celebrated recording artists, Zagga and Tarrus Riley, have unveiled the official music video for their much-hyped collaborative track *I’m Alright* — a fan-favorite cut from Zagga’s latest full-length album, *Piece of Paradise*. The project leans hard into core themes of unshakable positivity, steady perseverance, and unwavering inner strength, crafting an uplifting narrative that encourages listeners to push through life’s hurdles while holding fast to faith, gratitude, and resilient spirit.
The accompanying visual brings the song’s heartfelt message to vivid life, pairing authentic storytelling and bright, energetic cinematography with the palpable, organic chemistry that exists between the two Jamaican musicians. Speaking on the new release, Zagga shared that the final product aligns perfectly with the team’s original creative vision. “Everybody had an input so it’s personal for everyone. As usual collaborating with Tarrus Riley is always seamless because that’s my fam in real life. I genuinely hope everybody get to watch and enjoy the vibes,” he explained.
Genre-bending at its core, the collaboration merges Zagga’s signature high-octane dancehall dynamism with Tarrus Riley’s soul-soaked reggae roots. The resulting track is a powerhouse anthem that strikes a deep chord with audiences navigating routine hardships, reminding them that hope and optimism remain accessible choices even in hard times. Even before the video’s debut, *I’m Alright* had already built a loyal global fanbase, holding strong as a widely shared reminder that strength and hopefulness can outlast even the toughest moments. With the launch of the official visual, the track’s encouraging message gets a powerful new layer, marking another key milestone in the successful rollout of Zagga’s *Piece of Paradise* album.
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GERMAN BLITZ!
HOUSTON, Texas – Four-time World Cup champions Germany kicked off their 2026 World Cup Group E campaign in dominant fashion on Sunday, securing their first opening-match victory at the global tournament since their 2014 title run with a lopsided 7-1 win over first-time qualifiers Curacao at Houston Stadium. The resounding result puts the German side in a strong position to reach the knockout round for the first time in 12 years, though stiffer tests await against group opponents Ecuador and Ivory Coast in the coming matches.
The match got off to a fast start for Germany, as 22-year-old midfielder Felix Nmecha – who previously represented England at youth level before pledging his allegiance to Germany – curled a stunning strike past Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room in the sixth minute, collecting a well-placed pass from Florian Wirtz to outmaneuver a defender and open the scoring. The early goal drew a jubilant roar from German head coach Julian Nagelsmann, and Nmecha nearly doubled his tally just minutes later with a blistering long-range effort that sailed just off target.
Against all expectations, Curacao hit back to draw level in the first half, as Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot wrong-footed German captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. At 40 years old, Neuer is the oldest German player to ever feature at a World Cup, and this appearance marks his fifth participation in the global tournament – a historic milestone for the veteran shot-stopper. He was left shaking his head at the deflection, but Curacao’s 78-year-old head coach Dick Advocaat, the oldest manager to ever lead a side at the World Cup finals, leapt from his bench with arms raised in celebration. The underdog Caribbean side’s equalizer sent their traveling fan group, known as the Blue Wave, into a frenzy in the Houston stands.
A mandatory mid-first-half drinks break gave Germany time to reset and refocus after the unexpected concession. “The goal we conceded was unnecessary, but that’s part of football,” said young full-back Nathaniel Brown after the match. “I’m proud that we didn’t let our heads drop after that.”
Curacao’s defense held firm for several minutes after the restart, with Room pulling off a spectacular save to tip Nico Schlotterbeck’s header over the crossbar as the four-time champions pinned the debutants back in their own half. Desperate last-ditch blocks repeatedly kept Germany at bay, but the Curacao backline finally cracked in the 38th minute: Schlotterbeck found himself unmarked at the near post from a corner, and powered a header home for his first ever senior international goal, putting Germany back in the lead.
Germany extended their advantage before halftime to 3-1, when Kai Havertz calmly converted a penalty after Nmecha was brought down in the box by Riechedly Bazoer. The floodgates fully opened just 69 seconds into the second half, when another former youth England international Jamal Musiala ran onto a pinpoint through ball from Joshua Kimmich and slotted home from a tight angle to make the score 4-1.
Leroy Sane missed a clear chance to add a fifth just after the hour mark, sending his shot wide with only Room to beat, but Brown made no such mistake moments later, firing home his first ever goal for Germany just before the second hydration break. “It is indescribable,” the 22-year-old said of the milestone. “To score in the first World Cup match, my family is there, then to celebrate with the guys — simply incredible.”
Substitute Deniz Undav, who has been in red-hot form for Germany on the international stage, made the score 6-1 with his seventh goal in his last seven senior appearances. Havertz put the final nail in the coffin with a late second goal of his own – his 24th overall for the national side – that brought the final score to 7-1, a mirror image of Germany’s iconic 7-1 semi-final victory over host Brazil at the 2014 World Cup.
The lopsided win sends Germany to the top of the Group E table early in the tournament, boosting their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage for the first time since they lifted the trophy in Rio 12 years ago.
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Seiveright touts Jamaican rum as economic powerhouse
At a recent industry cocktail reception hosted by the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) and the Spirits Pool Association (SPA) at Kingston’s Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, a top Jamaican trade official has made a forceful case for elevating the island’s iconic rum sector to its rightful place as a foundational driver of national and regional prosperity.
Delano Seiveright, Minister of State in Jamaica’s Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, told assembled regional industry leaders that the rum sector is far more than a consumer beverage—it is an interconnected ecosystem that touches every corner of the Jamaican economy, from agricultural production to international tourism. Unlike common public perceptions that frame rum as simply a popular alcoholic drink, Seiveright emphasized that the Jamaican government views the industry as a strategic asset that delivers widespread benefits across agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, export revenue, intellectual property protection, rural employment, and national branding.
“Rum is one of the few products that tells Jamaica’s story every time it is poured anywhere in the world,” Seiveright told attendees, noting that the sector generated roughly US$57 million in export earnings alone in 2024, cementing its status as one of the country’s top export industries. Beyond trade, he added, the industry creates cascading economic opportunities for thousands of people across the island, supporting small-scale farmers, logistics providers, manufacturing workers, tourism employees, marketing teams, local retailers and entire rural communities.
A central focus of Seiveright’s remarks was the critical role of geographical indication (GI) protection for Jamaican rum, which he framed not just as an intellectual property measure, but as a core tool for equitable economic development. By enforcing GI rules, Seiveright explained, the country can ensure that key high-value stages of production—including ageing, bottling and quality control—remain anchored in Jamaica, retaining skilled jobs and greater economic value within the country rather than seeing them leak to foreign operators.
The minister also addressed ongoing industry concerns around taxation and global competitiveness, acknowledging the burdens of regulatory costs while contextualizing the government’s recent fiscal policy choices in the wake of major natural disaster. Hurricane Melissa caused an estimated US$12.2 billion in widespread damage across Jamaica’s critical infrastructure, and the government faces the delicate task of balancing the need for post-disaster reconstruction with support for competitive private enterprise. “Nobody welcomes additional taxes — Government included. But neither can Government ignore the need to rebuild homes, schools, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure, and balancing the books,” Seiveright said, adding that policymakers are working to strike a balance between competitiveness, reconstruction, sustainable growth and long-term fiscal responsibility.
Opening the event, WIRSPA Chairman Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence echoed Seiveright’s comments on the industry’s regional importance, noting that Caribbean rum is one of the region’s most globally recognized exports and a cultural ambassador for Caribbean heritage worldwide. Lawrence said that WIRSPA’s recent annual general meeting centered heavily on growing challenges facing the sector, from shifting global trade rules and market access barriers to evolving tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and changing regulatory requirements that impact regional exporters.
He warned that proposed adjustments to regional trade arrangements that affect the cost and availability of critical manufacturing inputs, including glass bottles and product labels, must prioritize export competitiveness and supply chain resilience to avoid undermining the sector. During the event, Lawrence officially launched WIRSPA’s 2024 sustainability report, which outlines the industry’s ongoing progress in embedding environmental stewardship, community investment and responsible business practices across all levels of regional production.
The highlight of the evening’s program came as organizers presented a lifetime achievement award to Dr. Joy Spence, the world-renowned Jamaican master blender, in recognition of her decades-long contributions to advancing the profile of Jamaican and Caribbean rum globally. Accepting the honor, Spence paid tribute to generations of Caribbean distillers, blenders and product innovators who built the sector’s global reputation for quality and authenticity, and credited WIRSPA with unifying the regional industry to secure international recognition for its products.
“WIRSPA has ensured that what we produce in this region is recognised and respected worldwide as being authentically Caribbean,” Spence said, adding that Jamaican rum remains inseparable from the country’s national heritage and cultural identity.
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Bishop Hudson-Wilkin calls for Jamaica’s moral voice on world stage
On the opening weekend of the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, a powerful call for interconnected global morality and collective care echoed through the halls of Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St James. The event, held under the overarching conference theme *Diaspora Partnerships: Rebuilding a More Resilient Jamaica*, drew senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, and hundreds of diaspora delegates from across the world, all gathered for the conference’s official opening church service.
The keynote address was delivered by the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Canterbury, a trailblazing religious leader who made history as the first Black woman appointed as a bishop in the Church of England, and previously served as personal chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II. In her remarks, Bishop Hudson-Wilkin challenged Jamaicans both on the island and in the global diaspora to retain their strong moral voice on the world stage, even as they work to strengthen domestic resilience and national development.
She emphasized that building a more resilient Jamaica is rooted in collective uplift, particularly for the most marginalized members of society. “At the core of this work will always be how we lift each other up, and how we care for those who are most vulnerable,” she told the congregation. Extending this logic beyond Jamaica’s borders, she argued that shared humanity demands attention to injustices unfolding across the globe, from the long-standing economic blockade of Cuba to ongoing instability in Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and the Middle East.
Rejecting the common stance that distant crises are “none of our business,” Bishop Hudson-Wilkin used a well-known folk parable of a mousetrap to illustrate the danger of disengagement. She recounted how a rat, facing a set mousetrap, begged for help from the farm’s chicken, pig, and cow, all of whom dismissed the threat as unrelated to their own lives. When the trap snapped on a snake instead of the rat, the snake bit the farmer’s wife. To feed the visitors who came to care for her, the farmer killed the chicken for soup; when her condition worsened and she died, he slaughtered the pig to feed mourners, and butchered the cow for the large funeral gathering. In the end, every animal that claimed the crisis was “nothing to do with me” paid the ultimate price. “We are involved because we are part of the one human race,” she told the congregation, drawing on the South African concept of Ubuntu to frame her argument: “I am because you are. I am because we are. All our lives are inextricably linked together. We must speak out against injustices wherever we see it.”
Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith, echoed the call for unity in her opening greetings. She noted that the gathering offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the enduring core values that have sustained Jamaica through decades of challenge: faith, perseverance, unity, and mutual service. “As a Government, we strive to apply our God-given talents and wisdom to the service of every Jamaican,” Johnson-Smith said. “We have taken seriously our mission to engender true respect for all and to strengthen our country so that we may care for all, especially the most vulnerable.”
Johnson-Smith highlighted the central role that the Jamaican diaspora plays in driving the nation’s growth and development, noting that even during the most difficult periods in the country’s history, the transnational Jamaican family has demonstrated unwavering love and support for the island. Running from June 14 to 18 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference aims to rethink and reinvigorate collaborative partnerships between the island and global Jamaican communities to build greater national resilience, while strengthening the shared cultural identity that unites Jamaicans across oceans and continents.