KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Casino Gaming Commission (CGC) says it deepened its investigative capacity through an intensive three-day Gaming Investigations Training workshop, held July 14 to 16, as Jamaica prepares for the opening of the casino gaming sector. The training was led by international expert Tyler Burtis, President of Burtis Investigations, a more than 20-year veteran of the California Department of Justice, where he served extensively in casino investigations. Attendees...

The Upper House of Parliament paid tribute Friday to iconic track and field coach, Stephen Francis, who died last week. State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley led the tributes and credited Francis for leaving a career in finance, where his expertise were highly pursued, and "daring to change the face of track and field in Jamaica and across the world." While further noting that...

Award-winning Jamaican gospel artiste Kevin Downswell says his upcoming album is the most personal project of his career and the most vulnerable he has ever allowed himself to be in his music. Speaking with the Jamaica Observer ahead of his Pre-Album Launch Worship Experience on Sunday, Downswell revealed that the unnamed album was largely written during the COVID-19 pandemic, with its songs inspired by seasons of uncertainty, disappointment, perseverance and...

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EAST HANOVER, United States (AFP) — Spanish super-sub Mikel Merino said Friday that neutralising the threat of Lionel Messi will be a "huge challenge" as La Roja prepare for their World Cup final showdown against Argentina. Argentina skipper Messi, 39, has been pivotal in dragging the defending champions into Sunday's final in East Rutherford, orchestrating a 2-1 semi-final victory over England with two assists. Messi, the tournament's joint top-scorer with...

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AFP) — Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that Barbados will observe a national day of mourning in honour of cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed on Friday. In a video statement confirming the death of the Bajan National Hero, Mottley said: “Across Barbados and across the world we hold him with gratitude, with reverence and with a tender sorrow that comes when the people have to...

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The death toll from the two-vehicle crash on the Bogue Gate section of the highway in Trelawny has risen to seven after a second victim admitted to the Falmouth General Hospital succumbed to injuries on Friday morning. Five people died at the scene following the collision involving a Toyota Regius bus and a Hino truck. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released. READ: 5 dead,...

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government says it is ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the management of school repairs being undertaken following Hurricane Melissa. As part of this process, information related to the rehabilitation projects will be posted on the websites of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the National Education Trust (NET). Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press...

LONDON, United Kingdom(AFP) — Andy Burnham boasts man-of-the people vibes, but behind the casual exterior lies ruthless ambition and political reinvention that has helped propel him to become the UK's next prime minister. The 56-year-old was appointed leader of the ruling Labour party on Friday at the third time of trying, and will replace Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street on Monday. Ditching his signature T-shirt and casual jacket for...

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — United States (US) officials on Friday pinned the source of a diarrhoea-causing foodborne parasite as shredded iceberg lettuce used by the fast food chain Taco Bell. A federal investigation by the Food and Drug Administration traced the contamination back to a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico, which was used by Taco Bell locations in five states, according to a statement from the...

MEXICO CITY,  Mexico (AFP) —A tsunami alert has been issued following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Mexico on Friday. The US Geological Service (USGS) said southern Mexico and parts of Central America were hit. Residents felt intense tremors in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, as well as in Guatemala and El Salvador, AFP journalists confirmed. The authorities haven't reported any victims.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — South African police said on Friday they had arrested 69 people after an anti-immigrant protest on the country's southeast coast descended into looting and left at least one person hospitalised. South Africa has been swept by weeks of protests and unrest targeting undocumented immigrants, causing tens of thousands to flee the country. Nearly 150,000 people have left the country in recent weeks, according to an...