T&T police on high alert after US Embassy warns Americans to avoid its facilities
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has tightened security across the country to protect citizens and government officials following a US Embassy alert urging Americans to steer clear of US facilities... ...
Read MoreSuriname’s parliament elects country’s first female president amid economic turmoil
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (AP) — Suriname's parliament Sunday elected physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as the troubled country's first female president. The South American country's National Assembly chooses the president by a... ...
Read MoreBahamas pauses recruitment of nurses from Cuba
NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government says it is pausing the recruitment of nurses from Cuba and will also cancel its existing contracts with a Cuban recruitment agency. Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Michael Darville, who paid a... ...
Read MoreBody of missing man in Antigua found in barrel
ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC – The police in Antigua say the body of a man discovered inside a barrel on a farm in the Bendals, a parish on the outskirts of the capital, on Sunday night, is that of Kerry Oliver, who had been reported missing... ...
Read MoreUN Security Council warned that Haiti is near a 'point of no return'
UNITED NATIONS, CMC – The United Nations special representative to Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, Monday warned that the French-speaking CARICOM country is facing the “point of no return” as gang violence escalates and the... ...
Read MoreUS Customs agents nab Canadian attempting to smuggle illegal Vincentian national
NEW YORK, CMC – The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says officers at the Cannon Corners, Champlain border crossing in upstate New York have arrested a Canadian citizen for attempting to conceal an illegal Vincentian... ...
Read MoreSuriname seeking to curb high incidence of suicides
PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – A campaign aimed at getting members of the Suriname population to talk openly about suicide has started amid concerns that the Dutch-speaking CARICOM country is among the top five countries with the most... ...
Read MoreJudge postpones hearing for suspects in Haitian president’s slaying who were hoping to be released
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Nineteen suspects accused in the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse arrived Monday at a courthouse as defence attorneys hoped they would be released, but a judge postponed... ...
Read MoreHaitian police arrest ex-lawmaker long accused of arming gangs to influence elections
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Police in Haiti have arrested a former legislator long accused of arming gangs in the country's central region and previously sanctioned by the US and Canada. Prophane Victor, an ex-member of Parliament who... ...
Read MoreFormer police commissioner among two people on bribery charges in US Virgin Islands
ST THOMAS, USVI, CMC – The former police commissioner of the United States Virgin Islands Police Department (USVIPD), Ray Martinez, and former director of the USVI Office of Management and Budget, Jenifer O'Neal, have been charged with... ...
Read MoreCARPHA urges region to enhance surveillance amid rise in respiratory illnesses
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is urging Caribbean countries to enhance surveillance amid reports of increases in respiratory illnesses including human metapneumovirus (HMPV). “... ...
Read MoreCXC says it is not at fault over exam delays in Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has distanced itself from the disruptions in examination for Barbadian students this week, saying that the matter rests with the Ministry of Education in... ...
Read MoreBahamian prime minister announces VAT cut on all food items
NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC - Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced that the value-added tax rate on all food sold in food stores would be reduced from 10 per cent to five per cent. The surprising measure, he said, is designed to offer... ...
Read MorePolice officers in Trinidad on leave urged to report for duty amid SOE
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Wednesday issued a call for all police officers on vacation to report for duty as it commended members of the public for their cooperation as the country continues to be... ...
Read MoreDominican government to review minimum wage, reduce corporate taxes
ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Wednesday said that the government will undertake a further review of the island's minimum wage and will also be moving towards reducing corporation taxes this... ...
Read MoreWanted member of ruling party in Suriname to be extradited to France
PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC -Suriname says its request to Brazil to extradite politician Joel 'Bordo' Martinus, who is suspected of having committed serious criminal offences in Suriname, has been denied, but he will be extradited to... ...
Read MoreNearly six thousand people killed in gang violence in Haiti last year
GENEVA, CMC -The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, Tuesday reiterated a call for countries not to repatriate Haitians to their homeland as the UN Human Rights Office reported that at least 5,601 people were killed... ...
Read MoreGrenada earns more than $2 million in work permit fees
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenada government earned more than $2 million from the issuance of work permits last year, Labour Commissioner, Sparkle Grenade Courtney, has said. She said while 890 permits were handed out to... ...
Read MoreStuart Young to replace Rowley as Trinidad’s prime minister
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad's Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley Monday said that he will be replaced by Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Stuart Young, as the country's leader. Rowley said that the caucus of legislators... ...
Read MoreHaitians fined for overstaying in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC -Bahamian Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley has recommended that three Haitian nationals who overstayed their visitors' visa be repatriated to their homeland after either paying the fines or the jail sentences. The three... ...
Read MoreSilk Boss to do gospel songs
Dancehall star Silk Boss revealed that he will be delving into gospel music, following a recent viral video with his rendition of gospel artiste Kevin Downswell's ' Carry Me'. Silk Boss told THE WEEKEND STAR that though he's not eyeing a musical... ...
Read MoreFormer ‘Gaza VP’ Sikka is keeping strong
There was a time when Sikka Rymes was referred to as the 'Gaza vice-president', the person of supreme importance next to the World Boss himself, Vybz Kartel. When Kartel was in prison, he said he was "Vybz's most loyal soldier", carrying his... ...
Read MoreSting cancelled again - Promoter says focus is on Jamaica right now
Sting's chairman and its former promoter Isaiah Laing said he supports the decision of current promoter, his son Tahheer, to cancel this year's staging. "We are one team and if he decides it's risky, then we all have to agree that it's risky for... ...
Read MoreXodus promises boldest road march yet
Xodus Carnival is shooting for the stars with its bold new theme, Campari Xodus OlympiX 2026 Qualifiers, officially unveiled at a dazzling launch inside the Sagicor Auditorium in New Kingston. The band is promising nothing short of a revolution.... ...
Read MoreENTERTAINMENT DIARY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 PORTLAND Rum Behaviour Winter Bliss Spanish River Bridge Orange Bay. KINGSTON... ...
Read MoreTurbulence brings the fire to Treasure Beach fest
When veteran reggae fireblazer Turbulence took the stage at the Treasure Beach Food, Rum and Reggae Benefit Festival on Sunday, it was clear the entertainer had come with an agenda to bring the house down, and that he did. From 'bunning out' men... ...
Read MoreKeep it peaceful - KipRich cautions Masicka, Tommy Lee Sparta about lyrical clash
Following a week-long fiery lyrical war between Masicka and Tommy Lee Sparta, former 'Sting Clash King', KipRich, said while he endorses the clash, he cautioned the artistes not to let it impact their careers. "Lyrical battle is good. Yuh see as... ...
Read MoreAmsu Govament names his ‘Dancehall Cabinet’
Reggae singer Amsu Govament has been causing a buzz in entertainment circles with a saucy single titled ' Dancehall Cabinet' that appears to assign key ministerial roles to leading figures of the dancehall fraternity. Amsu Govament said he came... ...
Read MoreNoddy Virtue spreads Christmas cheer
Recording artiste Noddy Virtue is spreading cheer in this Yuletide season with the track ' A Very Merry Christmas'. Written and produced by Paul 'Patchy' Wright on the Island Yard Productions label, the track was released on November 26. "The... ...
Read MoreTerry Linen promises healing performance for St Bess
Reggae-gospel singer Terry Linen promises to boost the spirits of St Elizabeth's residents through a "healing" performance at the Rise Again Gospel Concert and Christmas tree lighting. Linen, a St Elizabeth native, said having witnessed first-... ...
Read MoreBoomas celebrates big day in style
Popular promoter Fabian Cole, aka Boomas, celebrated is birthday with fanfare at Boomas' HQ, Mall Road, in St Andrew recently. The energy was out of this world, and patrons mostly adhered to the party's lilly white dress code. The theme for the... ...
Read MoreChronixx chides parents for exposing kids’ struggles
Reggae sensation Chronixx is receiving support for calling out parents who he said were exposing their children for "clicks" when pressured with tasks from the education system, In a post shared by the Likes artiste on Sunday, he lamented that... ...
Read MoreZantelly aims for musical diversity
Dancehall artiste Zantelly has a very eclectic taste in music and he's not afraid to let it show in his music. "Growing up in Jamaica, I was exposed to many different genres of music. On the radio, you'd hear reggae, dancehall, hip hop, R... ...
Read MoreTellatime dreams big on first official single
Dancehall artiste Tellatime is a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, which is evident on his new single titled Dream Big. "I learnt very early in life that you cannot achieve success without having a positive mindset. If you want to... ...
Read MoreSinger hopes to lift spirits with ‘Sunset’
Fusion artiste Samuel K. Golden is hoping that his latest single, Sunset, will be a beacon of inspiration for Jamaicans who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Golden wrote the song because he was heartbroken by the destruction and... ...
Read MoreCaribbean Mega Bounce hopes to bring cheer
Fresh from a highly successful regional tour, Caribbean Mega Bounce, the region's largest inflatable theme park, is set to make its grand return to Jamaica on December 26 and 27. Hoping to spread some much-needed holiday cheer, co-founder of... ...
Read More‘Healing and fire’ - Capleton sets to ignite Food, Rum and Reggae Festival
Firebrand reggae icon Capleton is gearing up to ignite the stage at this Sunday's Food, Rum... ...
Read MoreCaught my teenage cousin with my man
Dear Pastor, I am writing to you with tears in my eyes. I never thought that I would have to write to you. I am living with a man who was introduced to me by my aunt. She told me that he was a good man who was looking for someone to take care of... ...
Read MoreGirl tricked me into thinking she was pregnant
Dear Pastor, I hope you can give me some advice. I fell in love with a young lady two years ago and we were getting along very well. One day she told me that she was pregnant, but she did not want to keep the child. She was 20 and I was 40. She... ...
Read MoreSon-in-law keeping my daughter from church
Dear Pastor, Greeting to you, I am an 80-year-old woman who still reads your column occasionally. My daughter lives with me and she has two children. They always buy THE STAR and everybody reads your column. Sometimes I have a good laugh at the... ...
Read MoreMy boyfriend claims he is always broke
Dear Pastor, Greetings to you in Jesus' name. I am 23 years old and I am having a problem. I do not have children, but I have a boyfriend who is 33 years old. He says that he wants to settle down with me. But I don't think that I can settle down... ...
Read MoreBabyfather says marriage is a scam
Dear Pastor, I am a 30-year-old woman and I have two children. They belong to one man who is 35. We have been living together, but this man has not decided to marry me. He takes care of his children very well, but he says he does not believe in... ...
Read MoreMom is giving my stepdad ‘bun’
Dear Pastor, I am 15 and I live with my mother and stepfather. I am doing well in school, but I am not happy with the way I see my mother treating my stepfather. He is a hard-working man and he treats us very well. I do not know my real father.... ...
Read MoreStranger says my son is her baby daddy
Dear Pastor I am the mother of three boys and two girls. All my children are grown. My husband and I are in our senior years. Only two of our children are living in Jamaica. One of my sons had many girlfriends. Some of my friends say that he is... ...
Read MoreI regret marrying so young
Dear Pastor, I am having a problem and I believe that you can help me. I am a Christian. I got married when I was 21 and my husband was 22. We used to attend a very strict church. My father was one of the elders. My brothers left the church... ...
Read MoreHad to leave him because he has no ambition
Dear Pastor, I am a 25-year-old woman. I am living abroad. I was in a relationship with a man for nine years. I loved him dearly, but the relationship became toxic. When we first got together, I was just out of high school. We went through a lot... ...
Read MoreFour years together but still no ring
Dear Pastor, I am in my mid-30s. I continue to read your column every week. I am not married, but I have been living with a man for the past four years. I have a child, but the man is not the father. He treats her very well and nobody would... ...
Read MoreMy dad is too strict about who I should date
Dear Pastor, I am 17 years old and living with my father and stepmother. My father is a very strict man, but he is a loving father. I am doing well in school. I want to be a medical doctor. There is a guy in the neighbourhood who loves me, but he... ...
Read MoreWife cheated on me with a younger man
Dear Pastor, My wife and I were married for seven years, but we were friends before that. We had a good relationship for approximate five years. After that, my wife became very disrespectful to me, and she would go out whenever she felt like it... ...
Read MoreFinding it hard to make ends meet
Dear Pastor, I am 18 years old and I am living with my boyfriend in a nice area. I am not working but he works as a security guard. Four months ago, I gave birth to my second child, so the pressure is on him. My father is a fisherman. We are... ...
Read MoreMy ex is better in bed than my husband
Dear Pastor, I have been a Christian for the past eight years; I am 28. From I was 16, I was involved with a man, but he had his woman. That did not bother me because he gave me the best care that any girl would want. I knew his other woman. When... ...
Read MoreThinking about marrying an ex-prostitute
Dear Pastor, I am a 30-year-old man and my girlfriend is 28. We are living together. When she was 23 years old, she got married to a man who came to Jamaica as a tourist. The man took away the marriage certificate. He told her that he would file... ...
Read MoreI learnt the hard way about trusting men
Dear Pastor, In 1998, I met a man who told me that he loved me and wanted us to be friends. He spoke as if he were genuine. At the time, I was living with my brother and his wife. My brother was sending me to take some subjects at a school in the... ...
Read MoreMother-in-law doesn’t want me around
Dear Pastor I am 23 years old and pregnant. The man who got me pregnant is in a very good job. He rented a house and his mother is also living there. She takes care of everything. She is in her 50s. After he got me pregnant, he took me to his... ...
Read MoreMy grandmother has been my rock
Dear Pastor, I am 20 years old and when I was 16, I met a man who told me that he loved me. I told him that I was not interested in a man. I wanted to finish school and I did not want to concentrate on any relationship at that time. I was living... ...
Read MoreWife, babyfather’s sister hide ‘jacket’
Dear Pastor, This is the first time I am writing to you and I hope you can help me. I am 34 years old and I have three children. You may not remember me, but you officiated at the wedding of my husband and I. I trust you, so there are things that... ...
Read MoreMarried couple keeping it real from teen days
Dear Pastor, I have been reading your column from I was a teenager, and to this day, I enjoy doing so. My husband and I sometimes read it to each other. This man and I were childhood sweethearts. We knew each other from we were in high school.... ...
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