JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) -- President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday urged South Africans not to blame migrants for the country's problems, after a recent wave of anti-immigrant unrest and violence. One of Africa's largest economies, South Africa has long attracted migrant workers from across the continent, both legally and illegally. But in recent weeks, mobs of South Africans carrying sticks, whips and shields have marched through parts of the country...

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) -- The St Vincent and the Grenadines government Monday said that the Dominican Republic-registered aircraft that went missing en route to Tobago last weekend has been found with no loss of lives. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, St Clair Leacock, told a radio programme that international, regional, and national agencies have located the aircraft. He gave no indication as to the location. A...

Ten young men are competing for the titles of Mister and Mister Teen Universe International Jamaica. The finals will take place this Sunday, June 21 at the YMCA Auditorium on Hope Road in Kingston. Geovani Lewin is the national coordinator for both competitions. He explained the training and preparation process that the competitors have endured over the past few weeks. “It’s a rigorous process. We’ve prioritised training and development all...

Dancehall veteran Vybz Kartel earned his 12th entry on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart with God & Time, which entered at #6. God & Time, released June 5 via TJ Records/Vybz Kartel Muzik, features collaborations with Wizkid, Spice, Puerto Rican artiste Farruko, Shenseea, Skillibeng and Mavado. To date, Vybz Kartel's highest ranking on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart is the #2 debut and peak of King of the Dancehall, which was released...

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The deadly Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo has yet to peak and could take a year to contain, the Red Cross warned Tuesday, amid mounting warnings of dangerous gaps in the response. Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 808 cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including 192 deaths, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures. While efforts...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People's National Party (PNP) Culture and Heritage Commission is endorsing what it says is a growing call to formally designate June 16 as a national day of recognition for Leonard Percival Howell, widely regarded as the founder of the Rastafari Movement. June 16, 2026, marks the 128th anniversary of his birth. In recognition, the commission noted that, aside from national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey, few Jamaicans...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Global oil prices fell below US$80 a barrel on Tuesday as anexpected agreement between the United States (US) and Iran raised hopes that more crude could return to the market and ease pressure on fuel-importing countries such as Jamaica. Brent crude, the international benchmark used to price much of the oil traded worldwide, fell to its lowest level in about three months. US West Texas Intermediate crude...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Pizza Hut’s Jamaican operations are set to come under a new global owner after Yum Brands agreed to sell the struggling restaurant chain as part of a US$2.7-billion deal. Private-equity firm LongRange Capital will acquire Pizza Hut’s operations outside mainland China for about US$1.5 billion, a transaction that would include the international brand and franchise network under which Pizza Hut Jamaica operates. Yum China Holdings will separately...

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France, the two teams who contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday. Argentina, who won that dramatic contest in Doha in a penalty shootout after it finished 3-3 following extra time, take on Algeria in Kansas City. Messi is set to play in a sixth World Cup, and Argentina...