Kingston

Eighty-two year old guitarist Ernest Ranglin stopped by The World's studio recently. The Jamaican ska and reggae artist spoke about his long career and performed a song off his new album.

Tthe music heard between stories on The World on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 included the following.

Convicted DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, who's from Jamaica, recently gave a rare interview to "18Degrees North," a TV program produced in Kingston and seen around the Caribbean. Malvo says he was emotionally vulnerable and in a controlling relationship.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Jamaica faces many challenges. They're discriminated against, outlawed and even attacked and sometimes killed. But a national political leader has finally made a comment that seeks to draw a line on the discrimination.

Jamaica is an extremely difficult place for gays and lesbians. Human Rights Watch says the country has an "epidemic" of homophobic violence. But there's reason to suggest that things might be getting a little better there for gay Jamaicans.

Anchor Marco Wermna talks about the latest jazzy sound coming from the Jamaican ska innovator Ernest Ranglin.

Jamaicans are marking 50 years of independence from the British, but what they're really excited about is local hero Usain Bolt.

An investigation by the New Yorker magazine suggests multiple extra-judicial killings in a police raid in Jamaica.

A state of emergency has been declared in sections of Kingston, Jamaica where supporters of an alleged drug lord, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke exchanged gunfire with security forces. For more, we're joined by Karen Madden-James.