In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility, the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) has announced the reopening of multiple health centers across St Elizabeth, Jamaica. These facilities are now operational to provide essential primary care services to residents in the parish. The reopened centers include Junction, Portsea, Malvern, Santa Cruz, Pepper, Myersville, Lacovia, Balaclava, Maggotty (Holy Spirit Church), Elderslie (mobile unit), Southfield, Bellevue, Newell, Black River (tent), New Market (mobile unit), Gingerhill (medical outreach), and Middle Quarters. Operating hours are set from Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and on Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The SRHA has clarified that specific services will be available on designated days, ensuring a structured approach to healthcare delivery. This initiative aims to address the growing healthcare needs of the community, particularly in underserved areas, and marks a pivotal step in improving public health infrastructure in the region.
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Hurricane Melissa deals $40-b blow to mining sector
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican mining sector, a vital contributor to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, has been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, with preliminary losses estimated at $40.25 billion. Agriculture and Mining Minister Floyd Green disclosed this staggering figure during a detailed address to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, highlighting the widespread devastation caused by the late-October Category 5 hurricane.
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Guyana’s oil production hits 900,000 barrels per day
GEORGETOWN, Guyana — ExxonMobil Guyana Limited has announced a significant milestone in its operations, with daily oil production in the Stabroek Block now reaching 900,000 barrels. This achievement underscores the rapid development of Guyana’s energy sector, driven by strong collaboration between ExxonMobil, the Guyanese government, and its partners, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.
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Mini Miss St Elizabeth launches hurricane relief campaign for children
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in St Elizabeth, 12-year-old Alexia Jappa, the reigning Mini Miss St Elizabeth Heritage Queen, has emerged as a beacon of hope for affected children. Despite her own family’s property suffering minor damage, Alexia’s focus remains on those who lost far more. Launching a compassionate campaign, she is collecting essential items like clothing, shoes, and toys to bring comfort to young victims.
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JFF launches hurricane relief effort
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has initiated its Hurricane Melissa Relief Response, delivering essential care packages to severely affected communities in St Elizabeth, including Treasure Beach, Pondside, Carisbrook, and Black River. This first phase of the national recovery effort was made possible through the collaboration of major sponsors Wisynco, Honey Bun, and National Bakery, who provided bottled water, Powerade, baked goods, and other necessities.
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Buju Banton alleges relief items stolen at port
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned reggae artist Buju Banton has raised concerns over the theft of containers filled with relief supplies intended for victims of Hurricane Melissa at the port. In a recent Instagram post, Banton expressed his frustration, stating, ‘The things are being stolen at the very port. Look at this. Why. Why. Why.’ His message was accompanied by a photo of a half-filled barrel, illustrating the extent of the issue. Other social media users have echoed similar complaints, reporting that their barrels and containers have either gone missing or arrived partially empty. The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) had introduced the Contactless Clearance Project in 2023 to combat theft and enhance the handling of goods. This initiative mandates that customs officers wear body cameras while processing packages. Project Manager Kingsley Henry explained, ‘We are changing the process. Your shipping agent submits the documentation to Customs for duty assessment, and once you pay the customs charges, your cargo can be inspected. You can track your shipment using our website or mobile app.’ Despite these measures, attempts to obtain a comment from the JCA regarding the recent thefts were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
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JP Farms reports wipeout of banana and plantain fields
JP Farms, a subsidiary of the Pan Jamaica Group, has reported extensive damage to its agricultural operations in St Mary, Jamaica, following the devastating winds of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 185 mph, caused an estimated near-total loss of banana and plantain crops, marking the second consecutive year that the 90-year-old farming enterprise has been severely impacted by extreme weather. Although St Mary avoided a direct hit, the prolonged high winds from the hurricane’s outer bands flattened crops still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. In response, Pan Jamaica Group has pledged immediate financial support to aid the farm’s recovery, building on a $250 million investment made in 2024 to restore operations post-Beryl. Jeffrey Hall, Vice Chairman and CEO of Pan Jamaica Group, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to Jamaica’s agricultural sector and the livelihoods of over 200 families in St Mary. Despite the challenges, JP Farms remains dedicated to retaining its workforce during the recovery period. A silver lining emerged from the disaster: an experimental plot of wind-resistant banana plants, developed in collaboration with the Bodles Agriculture Research Station, sustained significantly less damage, offering hope for future crop resilience.
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Gold in Canada for Bruno Mars and Damian Marley’s ‘Liquor Store Blues’
Fifteen years after its initial release, Bruno Mars’ reggae-infused track ‘Liquor Store Blues,’ featuring Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, has been awarded a gold certification in Canada. This prestigious recognition, issued by Music Canada on November 12, celebrates the song’s achievement of 40,000 units in combined streaming and sales. Produced by Jamaican music maestro Dwayne ‘Supa Dups’ Chin-Quee, the track is part of Mars’ acclaimed 2010 album ‘Doo Wops & Hooligans,’ which soared to #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album also includes chart-topping hits like ‘Marry You,’ ‘Grenade,’ and ‘Just the Way You Are,’ with ‘Our First Time’ also benefiting from Supa Dups’ production expertise. ‘Liquor Store Blues’ has enjoyed international success, peaking at #97 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, #74 in Romania, #68 on the US Digital Song Sales chart, and #20 on Latin Pop Airplay. The song previously earned gold certification in New Zealand and recently achieved platinum status in the United States last month.
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Vincy PM’s son threatens to sue Anil Roberts over HDC claims
A political storm has erupted in St Vincent and the Grenadines as Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves vehemently denies allegations of impropriety in the purchase of high-end apartments for his family. The controversy was sparked by Minister in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts, who claimed in a social media blog that Gonsalves’ wife, daughter, and son had acquired three luxury apartments at the Victoria Keys complex in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, valued at $1.96 million, $1.625 million, and $1.3 million respectively. Roberts questioned whether Gonsalves’ recent criticisms of Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy were influenced by these transactions.
In response, Gonsalves dismissed Roberts’ claims as “misrepresentations” and “falsehoods,” accusing him of violating his family’s privacy and engaging in political mischief. He asserted that his family members had acted lawfully, paying mortgages for the properties without any preferential treatment. Gonsalves emphasized that he had never sought to influence Trinidad and Tobago’s government or its housing administration.
Meanwhile, Gonsalves’ son, Storm Gonsalves, has threatened to sue Roberts for defamation, vowing to invest any compensation in cryptocurrency. Storm suggested that the allegations were a politically motivated distraction ahead of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ general elections on November 27.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Housing Minister Randall Mitchell also weighed in, defending the sale of the apartments. He explained that the units were sold on the open market, bypassing the usual Housing Development Corporation (HDC) criteria, and that the process had saved taxpayers $400 million. Mitchell stressed that purchasers were entitled to privacy regarding their financial information.
The controversy has intensified political tensions in the region, with Gonsalves maintaining his innocence and accusing his detractors of spreading falsehoods for electoral gain.
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KFC spreads ‘Kindness for Change’ through harvest programme
In a heartwarming celebration of World Kindness Day, KFC, the globally renowned fast-food chain, demonstrated the profound impact of small acts of kindness through its Harvest Programme. On November 13, KFC staff and volunteers gathered at the Chef Sharaz Culinary Academy in Trinidad and Tobago to prepare and distribute 1,000 nourishing meals to vulnerable individuals and families. This initiative, aligned with this year’s global theme ‘Kindness for Change,’ underscores KFC’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in communities. Guided by the message ‘Harvesting Hope,’ the Harvest Programme transforms surplus food from KFC kitchens into meals for those in need, with the support of dedicated NGO partners. Trisha Baksh, Brand Lead at Prestige Holdings Limited, the local franchise holder of KFC, emphasized that kindness is integral to the company’s identity. ‘Our Harvest Programme embodies the belief that food has the power to unite, uplift, and inspire change,’ she said. Teddy Kim, from KFC’s partner organisation, International Youth Fellowship, shared his personal connection to the initiative, stating, ‘Being part of the Harvest Programme allows me to fulfil my purpose of serving the youth.’ Since its inception, the programme has donated over 768,000 meals to disadvantaged communities, reflecting KFC’s dedication to compassionate practices. This World Kindness Day, KFC encourages everyone to embrace simple yet impactful acts of kindness, whether through sharing food, offering time, or lending a helping hand.