UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — A report has revealed that Barbados and Puerto Rico have the highest cancer burden attributable to weight related issues. On Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO) said 12.7 per cent of women in Barbados, 12.0 per cent in the Czech Republic and 11.6 per cent in Puerto Rico are “most affected” by this issue. The report says overall, the countries with the highest cance... »
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided US$2 million (approximately J$226 million) to finance a project to provide Jamaicans with increased access to ICT services, as well as training to promote personal, organizational and national development. The grant will also fund a mandatory programme of advocacy and sensitization of decision-makers to the value of lib... »
PORT AU PRINCE, Haïti (AFP) — Thousands of anti-government protesters in Haiti called Tuesday for the resignation of President Michel Martelly, whom they accused of trying to reinstall a dictatorship. Opposition politicians called for the protests, which took place in several neighborhood of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The protests were held amid worries that Martelly could try to rule ... »
Anita Antoinette continues to make strides on The Voice Season 7. On Monday night sheperformed “Let Her Go” much to the delight of the audience. Anita is now in the top 10 and could go all the way to the finals. “You really took over that song, I feel like you killed it,” Gwen Stefani told the Jamaican-born singer. Both Blake and Pharrell Williams told her that she had fun with the song and keep o... »
Rihanna has a twin sister that she never knew about until recently. This 22-year-old female from Boston looks just like the Bajan pop star and now she is cashing in on her looks. Andele Lara, 22, says everyday she is being compared to Rihanna and that has been happening to her for the past 7 years. “The moment I step out anywhere, everyone starts staring and whispering before I get bombarded by st... »
PEOPLE caught stealing electricity will soon be facing stiffer penalties, including getting a criminal record, when convicted. State minister in the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson, made the announcement during the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for a pilot co... »
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson says that persons leaving and entering the island during the Christmas period may encounter some delays due to surveillance procedures at the airports, as the Government continues its preparations to deal with the possibility of Ebola in Jamaica. “I want Jamaicans to understand that they may have to endure some inconveniences as we put protoco... »
A narcotics dealer, who was arrested in the US in connection with a major drug ring in Jamaica, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. James C. McBride, 41, was sentenced on Friday in a New Jersey Court. He was one of 15 people, including five South Jersey residents, indicted in connection with the Jamaican drug ring. He pleaded guilty on October 20 to first-degree possession of cocaine with i... »
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – An elderly German couple who have been coming to vacation in Tobago for several years were found hacked to death along Minister’s Bay, Bacolet Beach, yesterday morning. Tobago police were alerted to the gruesome discovery around 10 a.m. by two people who were walking along the beach. Retired German couple Birgid and Hubertus Keil were found chopped to death, metres ... »
Bob Marley is about to become the face of a new marijuana blend dubbed Marley Natural. It’s no secret a big part of Bob Marley image is about smoking weed and over the years the plant has become entrenched in Rastafarian culture. But now Bob Marley estate has signed a deal to licensed the reggae legend’s name and likeness for the Marley Natural brand of marijuana. Private equity group Privateer Ho... »
Vybz Katel before and after Alkaline is the latest dancehall artiste to bleach his skin and he is feeling a lot of heat for it on social media. The above photo collage of the dancehall deejay before and after has been making the rounds on Facebook and Twitter. Alkaline before and after One of the pic show Alkaline from his high school days at Ardenne High. The other photo is more recent sho... »
Popular Jamaican roots plat actor Cleve Warren, more popularly known as Chu Chu, is dead. Sources connected with the actor told Urban Islandz that he passed away on Thursday afternoon at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. “He was complaining about feeling sick and feeling dizzy and was taken to the hospital to getchecked on, but his illness got worst quickly,” the source told us. Warren died while undergo... »
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Britain is providing assistance to five Eastern Caribbean countries “to help them return to economic growth while managing the risks from external shocks”. The Department for International Development (DFID) Caribbean says it will work closely with Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica under the new programme that runs until... »
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — A top police official says what appear to be the bodies of Miss Honduras 2014 and her sister have been found buried near the spa where they disappeared six days ago. National Police director, General Ramon Sabillon says authorities are awaiting confirmation from forensic officials that the bodies are Maria Jose Alvarado, 19, and her sister, Sofia, 23. He said early Wed... »
Joe Bogdanovich says Vybz Kartel is one of the biggest influence in dancehall so he work hard to get his new prodigy on a riddim that the incarcerated deejay is featured on. “The whole Kartel thing is really unusual and it’s really good to see how great of an artistKartel really is being in the minds of the pubic for so many year,” the Downsound Records CEO told Zip. “TJ did a record with Vybz Kar... »
Natalie Holt-Conde (left), daughter of the late reggae singer John Holt, consoles her mother Merle (Holt’s widow) during yesterday’s funeral service for the veteran reggae act. The service, which was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in downtown Kingston, saw a strong turnout from members of the music fraternity. Holt, who was known for hits including Ali Baba, Memories By the Score, ... »
Corey Todd and Konshens have parted ways leaving the Konz876 shoeline in limbo. Todd, who manages dancehall deejay Masicka, has also split from the label Subkonshus Records. “It’s not personal. Masicka is a hard-core dancehall artiste and he is concerned the image he is building will be damaged by being a part of Subkonshus; and as for me, the business part of the association was not working out, ... »
BET’s music countdown show 106 & Park got canceled after being on the air for 14 years. This means that Bow Wow, aka Shad Moss, and Keshia Chanté will be out of a job. But there is still a chance to save the show that has been dwindling in ratings. In a statement released by BET, the network says they will be moving 106 & Park to a all digital format on BET.com come December 19. “It’s been... »
Seh Calaz and Soul Jah Love ZIMBABWE police are warning their local dancehall artistes that if they engage in violence, they will feel the full force of the law. The warning came about as a result of an onstage altercation between Zimbabwe dancehall acts Soul Jah Love and Seh Calaz on stage during at Dancehall Gig-Sting 2014 at the Harare City Sports Centre, recently. According to The Herald, poli... »
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An investigative judge in Argentina is summoning Justin Bieber for questioning. Bieber has been accused of sending bodyguards to attack a photographer outside a Buenos Aires nightclub during a South American tour last year. Judge Facundo Cubas asked Interpol on Thursday to use all “necessary means” to notify the singer that he has 60 days to appear before... »
The fusion of the authentic Jamaican Christmas drink with the island’s signature lager is being hailed as a first for the alcoholic beverage industry in Jamaica and will introduce “an unexpected combination of beer, sorrel and ginger extracts, infused with exotic spices to deliver an unforgettable taste experience”, Red Stripe Brand Manager Erin Mitchell told the Jamaica Observer... »
SEVERAL new strains of marijuana (ganja) bearing the name of Julian Marley will become available in the American market in the next few months. According to www.streetinsider.com, Marley — son of reggae king Bob Marley — has partnered with company Drop Leaf to launch Julian Marley JUJU Royal Premium Marijuana. “I am happy to speak out in favour of decriminalisation and I salute Drop Leaf as ... »
RADIO disc jock and self-proclaimed Vibes Master Jerry D has parted company with RJR 94FM. Jerry D — whose given name is Jerry Davy and host of Vibes 360 — confirmed the separation, which occurred last week Friday. “There was a difference in perspectives. Like any family, we saw things differently and they had to make a judgement call, and I respect the decision. There is no acrimony between... »
Arguably one of the hottest tickets in the Reggae and Dancehall space presently, red hot deejay Demarco is having one of the best years of his career with a noticeable increase in presence and demand on the entertainment circuit. Aside from serving up some of this years’ biggest hits such as ‘Puppy Tail’, ‘Good Book’, ‘Ride’, ‘Lazy Body’, ‘Apartment’, ‘Bun Up Road’, ‘Loyal’, ‘Bad Gyal Anthem’ and ... »
BY BRIAN BONITTO Associate Editor A NEW date and venue have been set for the funeral of rocksteady/ reggae singer John Holt. This follows a request by the late singer’s wife, Merl. “We want to bury my dad in a nice and honourable way,” Carol Holt, daughter of the late singer, told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. “This is what my mother wishes. The service will be at the Hol... »
