Jamaica

Pouring rain, usually an invitation for carefree play, now sends pupils in western Jamaica into panic mode, one of the consequences of what they lived through during the passage of hurricane Melissa; therapists and counsellors are addressing the problem

Convictions for praedial larceny, 209 cases in 2025, are one of the results of the work of Agricultural Protection Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, recently established to curb these kind of crimes

Despite being ravaged by Hurricane Melissa two months ago, several schools in St James are set to resume full classes today; administrators say the situation will not be perfect but reopening schools is a key step towards normality

Parrots, hawks, owls, crocodiles, snakes and other animals displaced by Hurricane Melissa have found a home at the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation; a team of volunteers and veterinarians are helping them recover enough to be released back into the wild

A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in sections of Green Island and Orange Bay in Hanover: individuals within the boundaries are required to remain indoors, unless authorised by the ground commander; curfews are a relatively frequent measure in Jamaica

The Falmouth Public General Hospital received a key donation from the Chinese Benevolent Society to help cope with the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa; relief items include toilet paper, bottled water, food supplies, baby pampers, blankets

Farmers across St Elizabeth suffered heavy losses after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa tore through the parish destroying crops; in the Gilnock agricultural belt bowed corn stalks, uprooted pumpkin vines, muddy fields stretched as far as the eye could see

Jamaica is bracing for hurricane Melissa: people in flood-prone areas are invited to be ready to head to shelters; constructors at building sites are securing material; civil groups are preparing for the first post-hurricane hours

Police acting upon intelligence stopped a truck in St. Tomas and seized 30 bags of suspected ganja, or high quality, outdoor grown cannabis

Junior ministers have been named to serve alongside cabinet: 14 were sworn in with a ceremony at King’s House in St Andrew; PM asked them to bring energy, fresh ideas, grasp of new technologies, and connection to the aspiration of the younger generation

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has won a third term, a rare event in Jamaica, as his Labour Party JLP secured at least 34 out of 63 seats in parliament; Golding conceded defeat, saying he was disappointed but respected the outcome

Across Jamaica, potential candidates have been stepping forward for the 2025 General Election; before nomination day, candidates must have been nominated by 10 registered voters, pay a fee, and meet age, residency, and eligibility requirements

Three rail carts transporting bauxite to the port derailed in the Bog Walk Gorge; the National Environment & Planning Agency confirmed that the accident resulted in minimal environmental impact although one cart partially entered the river