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  • World Athletics boss Sebastien Coe arrives in Jamaica

    World Athletics boss Sebastien Coe arrives in Jamaica

    Sebastien Coe, the President of World Athletics and renowned British double Olympic champion, has commenced a significant diplomatic tour in Jamaica. His arrival at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston late Sunday night marked the beginning of several days of high-profile engagements with the nation’s sporting and governmental leadership. The track and field icon was formally received by Garth Gayle, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

    The agenda for Coe’s visit includes strategic meetings at the highest levels of Jamaican governance. Scheduled discussions with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Sports Minister Olivia Grange follow an initial working breakfast with JAAA leadership. This itinerary underscores the collaborative spirit between international athletic governance and Jamaican sporting authorities.

    A particularly poignant segment of Coe’s itinerary involves an inspection visit to the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Tuesday. The facility’s track has remained non-operational for six years and sustained additional damage during Hurricane Melissa in October, highlighting infrastructure challenges facing Jamaican athletics.

    This visit represents Coe’s second official trip to Jamaica in under four years, following his previous attendance at the 2022 Carifta Games hosted in Kingston. The current tour emphasizes World Athletics’ continued commitment to nurturing Jamaica’s track and field legacy while addressing critical infrastructure needs.

  • Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues

    Flash flood watch issued for several parishes as unstable weather continues

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have escalated weather warnings as a major Caribbean weather system threatens widespread disruption. The Meteorological Service has activated a flash flood watch covering multiple parishes including St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, and Manchester. This alert remains in effect until 7:00 am Monday.

    The emergency measures respond to a developing meteorological crisis originating from a broad trough currently dominating the central Caribbean. This system has generated significant atmospheric instability across the island nation since Saturday evening, with weather radar and satellite data confirming sustained precipitation patterns.

    Current meteorological assessments indicate moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, primarily affecting eastern and south-central regions during the early hours of Sunday. Weather experts predict these conditions will intensify and expand geographically throughout Sunday afternoon and evening, eventually covering the entire island.

    The Met Service’s extended forecast indicates that residual showers will persist through Monday afternoon across most parishes, prolonging flood risks. Marine safety authorities have simultaneously issued navigational warnings for fishing vessels and commercial maritime operations, particularly along the south coastline where sea conditions are rapidly deteriorating near storm activity zones.

  • Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria

    Over 30 killed, several kidnapped in central Nigeria

    LAGOS, Nigeria — In a brutal assault underscoring Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, armed militias locally termed ‘bandits’ conducted a deadly raid on Kasuwan Daji village in Niger State’s Kabe district, leaving over 30 civilians dead and multiple hostages captured. The attack occurred mere kilometers from where hundreds of students were abducted months earlier.

    According to Niger State police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun, the assailants torched local markets and systematically looted food supplies during their hours-long occupation on Saturday. Disturbing visual evidence obtained by international media shows executed victims with hands bound behind their backs, indicating execution-style killings.

    This incident represents the latest escalation in northwestern and north-central Nigeria’s banditry epidemic, where criminal gangs regularly orchestrate mass kidnappings for ransom and village pillaging. The Catholic Church in Kontagora reported security forces were conspicuously absent during the assault and placed the death toll above 40—significantly higher than official figures.

    The violence occurs against a complex security backdrop where Africa’s most populous nation contends with overlapping conflicts including jihadist insurgencies, separatist movements, and intercommunal violence. Recent months have seen increased international scrutiny, with U.S. officials criticizing Nigeria’s security approach despite Abuja’s coordination with American counterterrorism operations.

    President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritized defense spending in its latest budget allocation, appointing a new defense minister and promising security overhauls. However, the persistence of attacks near previous mass abduction sites demonstrates the formidable challenges facing Nigeria’s stretched security apparatus.

  • Retired DSP Clarence Bailey laid to rest

    Retired DSP Clarence Bailey laid to rest

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican law enforcement community gathered in solemn tribute on Saturday to honor the life and service of retired Deputy Superintendent Clarence Stephenson Bailey. Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew hosted the homegoing service attended by active and retired members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, alongside family members and close friends.

    Mr. Bailey, who passed away on December 1, 2025, just short of his 66th birthday, dedicated forty years of exemplary service to the force since enrolling in 1980. His distinguished career spanned multiple critical divisions within the police service.

    Senior Superintendent Damion Manderson delivered the official tribute from the Police Commissioner, expressing profound condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the St Andrew South Division. He detailed Bailey’s extensive service across specialized units including the Intelligence Branch (Narcotics), Criminal Investigation Branch, Mobile Reserve Branch, Security Flying Squad, Organised Crime and Investigation Division, and Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch.

    “Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bailey demonstrated unwavering integrity, exceptional courage, and professional excellence,” Manderson stated. “His contributions significantly enhanced national security and public safety protocols. In recognition of his distinguished service and impeccable conduct, he was awarded the Medal of Honour for Long Service and Good Conduct on December 31, 2005.”

    Additional personal reflections were shared by Dennis Hickey, Bailey’s former batchmate, highlighting their shared experiences and Bailey’s personal character. Deputy Superintendent Coralee Brown-Fowler delivered the formal eulogy, capturing both the professional dedication and personal virtues of the deceased.

    The service concluded with interment at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens. Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife Lorraine, five children—Hakeem, Anita, Lotoya, Jermaine, and Scereisa—as well as his sister and three brothers.

  • Body found on Half Way Tree Road

    Body found on Half Way Tree Road

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation following the grim discovery of a deceased male on Half Way Tree Road in the early hours of Sunday morning. Law enforcement personnel swiftly established a security perimeter around the affected section of the roadway as forensic examinations commenced.

    Preliminary reports indicate the discovery occurred approximately at 8:30 a.m. when an alert pedestrian noticed the remains and immediately notified local law enforcement. The prompt response resulted in multiple police units converging on the location to secure the area and initiate investigative protocols.

    The Kingston Central Police Division has assumed control of the ongoing operation, though officials have yet to release formal identification of the deceased or speculate on potential circumstances surrounding the incident. Crime scene technicians continue to process evidence while detectives conduct preliminary interviews with potential witnesses in the vicinity.

    This development has generated significant attention in the Half Way Tree area, with local residents expressing concern over the incident. Police commissioners have assured the public that all necessary resources are being deployed to determine the facts surrounding this case, with additional updates expected as the investigation progresses.

  • ‘At last’

    ‘At last’

    In an unprecedented global display of emotion, millions of Venezuelan exiles erupted in celebration following the capture of their former leader, Nicolas Maduro, by United States military forces. The operation, which culminated in Maduro’s extradition to New York to face narcotics trafficking allegations, triggered spontaneous gatherings across international capitals from Santiago to Madrid.

    Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, which shelters the largest contingent of nearly three million displaced Venezuelans, witnessed scenes of profound emotional release. Kevin Zambrano, a hairdresser who fled a decade ago, expressed uncontainable joy, stating his gratitude for what he termed ‘the first step’ toward national liberation. Similarly, in Santiago, street vendor Yurimar Rojas voiced a sentiment echoed by countless others: ‘At last we’ll be able to go back home.’

    The celebrations, however, were tempered by geopolitical complexities and internal divisions. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily ‘run’ Venezuela pending a stable political transition, a declaration that drew immediate condemnation from Maduro’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez, who asserted that Maduro remains the nation’s ‘only president.’

    Amid the euphoria, poignant personal stories emerged. Yeiner Benitez, a security guard in Bogotá, tearfully recounted the tragic death of his uncle due to medication shortages—a direct consequence of Venezuela’s economic collapse. His narrative underscored the profound human toll of the crisis that drove nearly eight million citizens into exile.

    Not all responses were celebratory. In Mexico City, protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy, brandishing signs that read ‘No to war’ and warning against what they perceived as neo-colonial resource extraction. Mario Benitez, leading the demonstration, urged Venezuelans to resist foreign intervention and protect national sovereignty.

    The events set the stage for a complex power struggle, with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado delivering a galvanizing message of hope to supporters in Madrid, while the current administration in Caracas vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty. The path forward remains uncertain, balancing exiles’ dreams of return against the challenges of rebuilding a shattered nation.

  • Two shot dead in St Elizabeth amid curfew

    Two shot dead in St Elizabeth amid curfew

    The Jamaican parish of St Elizabeth has been plunged into a state of heightened security following two separate fatal shootings over the weekend, prompting authorities to declare an immediate 48-hour curfew in the affected Crawford district.

    The violence commenced on Friday evening at approximately 9:00 PM when Albert Smith was fatally shot by armed assailants while attending a social gathering in the Crawford district. In response to this homicide, local law enforcement moved swiftly to implement a curfew, effective from 6:00 PM Saturday, January 3rd, through 6:00 PM Monday, January 5th.

    Despite these security measures, a second murder occurred on Saturday night at around 10:00 PM in the parish capital of Black River. Forty-seven-year-old Basil Bruce was reportedly at a residence in the New Town area with a family member when two armed gunmen opened fire, resulting in his death.

    The curfew boundaries encompass a defined perimeter: extending south along the coastline from Galleon Beach to a cul-de-sac, east along Crawford Main Road from the Primary School to another cul-de-sac at Galleon Beach, north from a cul-de-sac to the Crawford main road near the primary school, and west along an imaginary line back to the starting point.

    These incidents mark the parish’s first two homicide cases of the new year, raising significant concerns about community safety and the effectiveness of security protocols in the region. Local authorities continue their investigations into both shootings while maintaining heightened police presence throughout the curfew period.

  • France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    France condemns US operation to capture Maduro; Russia ‘strongly urges’ release

    PARIS, France — The French government issued a stern condemnation on Saturday regarding the United States-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing it as a violation of fundamental international legal principles. Concurrently, Russia demanded the immediate release of the detained Venezuelan leader and his wife.

    French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot articulated the nation’s position through a formal statement on social media platform X, acknowledging Maduro’s record of human rights violations against Venezuelan citizens while simultaneously condemning the American intervention. Minister Barrot emphasized that the operation “contravenes the principle of non-use of force, which serves as a cornerstone of international law.”

    The French diplomatic statement further cautioned that escalating violations of this fundamental principle by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council would inevitably yield “serious consequences for global security, sparing no nation.” Barrot underscored that sustainable political resolutions cannot be externally imposed, reflecting France’s commitment to diplomatic norms and multilateral governance structures.

    Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued multiple statements expressing profound alarm over the development, characterizing the American operation as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.” Russian officials dismissed Washington’s justifications for the intervention as “untenable,” asserting that “ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism” in American foreign policy decision-making.

    The Kremlin demanded immediate clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s apprehension and called for the unconditional release of both the Venezuelan president and his spouse. Russia, which had reaffirmed its support for Maduro following his controversial re-election in 2024 and remains Venezuela’s principal strategic ally in South America, stopped short of explicitly committing military assistance to Caracas in potential confrontations with the United States.

    The coordinated responses from both European and Russian diplomatic channels highlight growing international concern over unilateral military actions and their implications for global security architecture. The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis that has drawn in major world powers with competing geopolitical interests.

  • US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    US aviation regulator shuts Caribbean airspace amid Venezuela action

    The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a significant airspace advisory on Saturday, directing commercial carriers to avoid portions of Caribbean airspace. The directive cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ linked to U.S. military operations, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    The aviation alert specifically warned of ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity,’ effectively creating a no-fly zone for commercial aviation in the specified region. This precautionary measure underscores the scale and sensitivity of the military action undertaken.

    U.S. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful capture of the Venezuelan leader, describing it as the result of a ‘large-scale strike’ conducted on Venezuelan territory. This decisive military intervention represents a dramatic escalation in a prolonged campaign of pressure against Maduro’s government.

    The operation follows an extensive period where the U.S. applied intensifying economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation tactics targeting Maduro’s socialist regime and its oil-dependent economy. Notably, this military action occurred just 48 hours after Maduro had extended an overture to the Trump administration, proposing bilateral cooperation on critical issues such as narcotics trafficking and illegal migration control.

  • Chronic Law rules YouTube… again

    Chronic Law rules YouTube… again

    For the second consecutive year, Jamaican dancehall sensation Chronic Law has decisively secured his position as YouTube’s most-viewed artist, accumulating a staggering 154 million views throughout 2025. According to official platform statistics, Chronic Law’s viewership nearly doubled that of his closest competitor, incarcerated artist Vybz Kartel, who maintained the second position with 85.7 million views.

    The YouTube Music Charts, which remain the primary streaming platform for many Jamaican audiences, revealed the complete rankings for the period spanning December 28, 2024, to December 28, 2025. Emerging artist Skippa captured third place with 79.9 million views, while established stars Masicka (74.5 million) and Squash (64.1 million) completed the top five. The list continued with Alkaline, Jamal, Malie Donn, Popcaan, and producer DJ Mac rounding out the top ten.

    Geographic data analysis indicates Chronic Law’s strongest viewership originated from Kingston, Jamaica; New York, USA; Port of Spain, Trinidad; and London, England. His most-streamed tracks included ‘New York Girls,’ ‘Empty,’ ‘Higher Life’ (a collaboration with Kranium), ‘Kick It Wid Myself’ (with Popcaan), and ‘Don’t Fall.’

    Vybz Kartel demonstrated remarkable international appeal with his primary audiences located in Nairobi, Kenya; Paris, France; and Accra, Ghana. His top-performing songs were ‘God is the Greatest,’ ‘Ignite the World,’ ‘Fever,’ ‘Unstoppable,’ and ‘Whine to the Top.’

    Despite the overall artist dominance by male performers, the year’s most-streamed individual track was the ‘Shake It To The Max’ remix featuring Shenseea and Skillibeng, which has amassed nearly 220 billion views since its March 2025 premiere. This was followed by ‘Beloved and Blessed’ by Jaame.sss featuring Inner Circle’s Skatta Lopa and Armanii’s ‘8:00 PM’ in third place.

    Notably, for the second consecutive year, no female dancehall artists appeared in the top 15 most-viewed artists ranking, nor were any solo female tracks represented in the year’s top songs list, highlighting an ongoing gender disparity within the genre’s digital landscape.