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Eastern Jamaica is grappling with severe transportation disruptions as relentless rainfall continues to batter the region, prompting urgent safety advisories from the National Works Agency (NWA). The persistent precipitation has resulted in extensive flooding, clogged drainage systems, and significant silt accumulation across major road networks.

Stephen Shaw, Manager of Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, issued an official statement on Friday identifying the most critically affected zones. The coastal corridor stretching from Ocho Rios in St Ann to Port Antonio in Portland has experienced the most substantial infrastructure challenges, with multiple communities reporting impassable road conditions.

Specific impact assessments reveal that St Mary parish is confronting severe flooding in Rio Nuevo, Stewart Town, and Port Maria. The situation is particularly dire in Annotto Bay, where the Mother Ford drain has reached maximum capacity, creating additional flood risks. Meanwhile, in Portland, primary transportation routes through St Margarets Bay, Orange Bay, and Windsor Castle have been compromised by water accumulation and debris.

The NWA has issued emphatic warnings to all travelers, explicitly urging motorists to avoid attempting passage through heavily flooded roadways. Pedestrians have similarly been advised to seek alternative routes and exercise extreme caution when navigating affected areas. The adverse weather conditions are attributed to an atmospheric trough that has settled over the eastern parishes, sustaining the prolonged rainfall pattern that shows no immediate signs of abating. Transportation authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while recommending that residents prioritize safety measures and stay informed through official channels.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a compelling call for the immediate launch of an extensive public education initiative focused on proper waste management and personal environmental accountability. The announcement came during high-level discussions with executives from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

Holness emphasized the critical gap between municipal collection services and citizen participation, noting that while garbage trucks maintain regular schedules, widespread public noncompliance undermines sanitation efforts. He highlighted problematic behaviors including improper waste separation, inadequate container use, and disregard for collection timelines.

“The educational component of NSWMA’s mandate must become paramount,” Holness stated. “We must initiate serious dialogue with citizens regarding household and commercial waste management responsibilities.”

The Prime Minister expressed particular concern about roadside litter exposed during routine debushing operations, describing the proliferation of discarded beverage containers, food packaging, and plastic waste as “shameful.” He attributed this pollution to pedestrians and vehicle passengers indiscriminately disposing waste.

Holness advocated for comprehensive awareness programs targeting all age demographics—from children who lack environmental consciousness to adults who either weren’t properly educated or knowingly disregard protocols. “As we advance toward 2026, these issues require immediate attention beginning with public education,” he affirmed.

In a significant policy development, the Prime Minister revealed advanced discussions regarding implementing a digital ticketing system for sanitation violations. This technological upgrade would mirror traffic enforcement mechanisms, enabling streamlined prosecution of improper waste disposal offenses through judicial channels.

“Everyone desires a cleaner Jamaica, but collective action remains elusive,” Holness observed. “These negligent practices ultimately clog drainage systems and exacerbate flooding. NSWMA will play pivotal roles in elevating national standards for environmental stewardship and public sanitation management.”

In response to the profound emotional aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican women are mobilizing to address the psychological toll of the disaster through community support and forward-looking initiatives. The upcoming Beauties at Brunch Vision Board Party, scheduled for January 25, 2026, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, represents a strategic approach to collective healing and resilience-building among women across the island.

Organizers recognize that while physical reconstruction efforts continue, the less visible scars of grief, uncertainty, and survivor’s guilt require dedicated attention. This gathering transforms the traditional brunch format into a therapeutic experience centered on vision-setting, mutual support, and psychological recovery.

Sophia Walcott, the event’s coordinator, emphasizes the dual purpose of the occasion: ‘Our initiative champions the courageous decision to advance despite adversity. It creates a balanced space where participants can acknowledge their blessings while simultaneously honoring the collective pain within our communities. This synthesis of dreaming, strategic planning, and joyful expression alongside compassionate action forms our core philosophy.’

Attendees will experience an intentionally curated environment designed to foster authenticity, empowerment, and meaningful connection. The five-hour program (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM) encourages women to present their authentic selves while engaging in goal-setting activities surrounded by supportive peers.

Complementing the psychological focus, the event incorporates tangible humanitarian action through a donation drive for hurricane victims. Participants are requested to contribute non-perishable items that organizers will distribute to registered charities assisting those most affected by the disaster.

This initiative transcends conventional social gatherings by establishing a framework for intentional personal development and community solidarity. It represents a nuanced understanding of post-disaster recovery that addresses both immediate physical needs and longer-term emotional well-being through collective care and empowerment.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) has moved to address growing tensions among its auxiliary staff members following Friday’s industrial action at the organization’s Kingston headquarters. JTA President Mark Malabver, speaking during the reopening ceremony of the association’s western office in Montego Bay, acknowledged the legitimacy of workers’ grievances and committed to immediate intervention.

The dispute centers on financial calculations and outstanding payments that have remained unresolved for several years, predating Malabver’s current presidency. While not explicitly confirming whether the issues involve salaries or allowances, the president characterized the matter as requiring ‘expeditious treatment’ given the prolonged nature of the concerns.

Malabver demonstrated notable empathy toward the protesting workers, stating they were ‘quite within their rights to be restive’ based on the information he had received. This recognition of the staff’s frustration marks a significant shift in the association’s approach to the long-standing dispute.

The JTA president revealed his immediate plan to convene with Secretary General Dr. Mark Nicely to formulate a concrete resolution strategy. Malabver emphasized that any solution would honor previous commitments made to the auxiliary staff, ensuring historical agreements are respected in the process.

In his commitment to timely resolution, Malabver assured that ‘the matter will definitely be addressed in the coming days,’ providing the first concrete timeline for addressing concerns that have lingered for multiple years. The association’s leadership appears determined to prevent further escalation of the labor dispute that disrupted operations at their Church Street administrative offices.

Nigerian authorities have formally pressed charges against the chauffeur responsible for transporting British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua prior to a devastating collision that claimed two lives. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, faces multiple allegations including reckless driving resulting in death, operating a vehicle without a valid national license, and driving without due care causing bodily harm and property damage.

The incident occurred along the heavily traveled Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwestern Nigeria’s Ogun state. Preliminary investigations by the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) indicate the Lexus SUV was traveling at excessive speed when it experienced a tire blowout before colliding with a stationary truck.

Casualties included Joshua’s long-time strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele, both pronounced dead at the scene. Joshua and the driver sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment at Lagos hospitals before being discharged Wednesday. Kayode was subsequently transferred to police custody in Abeokuta, where he secured bail set at five million naira ($3,500) with two sureties, though he remains detained pending fulfillment of bail conditions.

The crash holds particular significance as it occurred in Sagamu, the ancestral homeland of Joshua’s family. The boxing champion frequently visits the region and maintains strong connections to the area. Local reports indicate Kayode had previously served on Joshua’s security detail during Nigerian visits.

Authorities have scheduled Kayode’s court appearance for January 20. Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased victims have reportedly been repatriated to the United Kingdom, while Joshua’s current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

A mining catastrophe in the remote Pakaraima Mountain Range of Guyana has claimed the lives of two Brazilian nationals, casting a spotlight on the perils of the region’s gold mining industry. The Guyana Police Force confirmed the fatalities, which resulted from a sudden pit collapse on December 30th.

The victims have been identified as Cleumiton Da Silva Santos, 37, and Antonio Filho, 44. The tragic incident unfolded at the ‘S’ Bend Backdam mining site near Chenapou, North Pakaraimas, an area situated within the geologically striking Region 8, renowned for its iconic tabletop mountains.

According to an official police statement, preliminary investigations indicate that a substantial quantity of sand unexpectedly gave way and collapsed into the excavation where the men were working. Fellow miners at the scene managed to escape the cascading debris, but Santos and Filho were tragically entrapped. They were subsequently retrieved by responders but were declared deceased at the scene.

The extreme remoteness of the location has presented significant logistical challenges. The bodies of the deceased currently remain at the ‘S’ Bend Backdam site. Authorities are coordinating complex efforts to transport them to the Mahdia District Hospital, where formal post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine the exact causes of death.

The Guyana Police Force has emphasized that its investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the structural failure of the mining pit remains active and ongoing. This event underscores the persistent dangers faced by workers in Guyana’s prolific yet often hazardous mining sector.