Jamaicans Riot Over Gas Prices

Riots touched off by sharp price increases for gasoline and propane gas paralyzed the country today, and demonstrators blocked roads and set fire to piles of tires. Police reported two dead.

Businesses, schools and government offices were closed, domestic flights grounded and the opening session of Parliament was canceled. The apparently spontaneous demonstrations started in Kingston, where protesters blocked main roads with junked cars and rocks, cutting off downtown from the rest of the city.