KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s economy was on a robust upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2025, as revealed by the latest JCC/GK Capital Management Business and Consumer Confidence Indices. The data, collected before Hurricane Melissa struck, highlights a significant surge in both consumer and business confidence, marking the strongest economic performance in over two decades.
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Guardiola gamble backfires in Man City loss to Leverkusen
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shouldered the blame after his experimental lineup faltered in a surprising 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. Guardiola opted to rest key players, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, a decision that proved costly as Leverkusen capitalized on City’s lackluster performance. Alex Grimaldo opened the scoring in the first half, followed by Patrik Schick’s second-half goal, leaving City fans disgruntled at the final whistle. This marked City’s first home defeat in the Champions League group stage since 2018, ending a 24-game unbeaten run. The loss compounded City’s recent struggles, coming just days after a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle. Guardiola admitted responsibility, acknowledging that his rotation strategy may have been excessive. Despite dominating possession, City lacked precision and defensive solidity, with Leverkusen exploiting their vulnerabilities. Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City boss ended in disappointment, a stark contrast to his previous successes, including the club’s 2023 European triumph. The defeat raises questions about City’s depth and form as they face a packed December schedule, including a crucial clash with Real Madrid. Guardiola emphasized the need to regroup and fight for redemption in upcoming fixtures.
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McKay Security Limited delivers tarpaulins to hurricane victims in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a proactive move to support communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa, McKay Security Limited has collaborated with local councillors to ensure the transparent distribution of high-quality tarpaulins to affected residents in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Drawing inspiration from international aid organizations like USAID, McKay Security has taken additional measures to safeguard the integrity of the relief process. Each tarpaulin unit has been labeled ‘Not For Sale’ to prevent any potential misuse or corruption. Jason McKay, CEO of McKay Security, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, ‘While we are confident in the councillors’ commitment to equitable distribution, we want to make it clear that these donations are strictly for relief purposes and should not be monetized in any form.’ Since Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact, which left hundreds homeless across St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover, and Trelawny, McKay Security has distributed 230 heavy-duty tarpaulins. The majority of these supplies have been allocated to South West St Elizabeth, with 80 tarpaulins delivered to Black River. Councillor Amorkard Brown of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation is set to receive an additional 100 units for further distribution. McKay highlighted the company’s broader mission, noting, ‘Though our headquarters in Kingston was largely unaffected, many of our security guards and clients’ employees have been severely displaced. This effort is part of our commitment to alleviating the homeless crisis in these parishes.’
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US revokes visa of Haitian official accused of backing gangs
The United States State Department has announced visa sanctions against a Haitian government official accused of aiding criminal gangs and obstructing efforts to combat organized crime in Haiti. While the department did not disclose the official’s name or the specific gangs involved, it confirmed that any existing visas held by the individual would be revoked. A source close to the matter identified the sanctioned official as Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of Haiti’s transitional presidential council. Jean, during a press conference, dismissed the allegations as a ‘masquerade’ but did not directly confirm he was the target of the sanctions. He vowed to continue advocating for good governance and opposing systemic chaos in Haiti. The US had previously designated two Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as terrorist organizations in May 2024. The State Department reiterated its commitment to supporting Haiti’s stability and emphasized the need for progress toward free and fair elections. This development follows the arrest and deportation of prominent Haitian businessman Dmitri Vorbe in September 2023, who was accused of backing gangs. Another businessman, Pierre Reginald Boulos, was arrested in July 2023 for allegedly contributing to Haiti’s destabilization. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long grappled with rampant gang violence, including murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings, exacerbated by chronic political instability. The crisis deepened in early 2024 when gangs forced then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
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NHT offering support to mortgagors impacted by hurricane
KINGSTON, Jamaica—In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Melissa, the National Housing Trust (NHT) is urging contributors and mortgagors to seek assistance as they navigate the challenging path to recovery. Shara Luke Cooper, Manager for Customer Relations Management at the NHT, emphasized the organization’s commitment to alleviating the emotional and financial burdens faced by affected families nearly a month after the category five hurricane struck. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on November 25, Luke Cooper encouraged individuals to take a moment to regroup and then reach out for support. ‘We understand the circumstances, and we want these persons to take some time to breathe then reach out to us. We can hold their hand through this recovery process,’ she stated. To facilitate this, NHT teams are actively visiting communities, enabling individuals to engage directly with staff, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance. The NHT has rolled out a series of disaster-response measures tailored to assist those whose homes or livelihoods have been impacted. These include a Hurricane Relief Loan offering up to $3.5 million, a Special Disaster Grant of up to $500,000, and a six-month Moratorium on Mortgage Payments. Additionally, individuals can file peril insurance claims for damages sustained. Luke Cooper also directed affected individuals to the NHT’s website, www.nht.gov.jm/recover, for comprehensive resources and application guidance. She highlighted that Jamaicans can assist neighbors and relatives in submitting applications if they are unable to do so themselves. Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, underscored the inclusivity of the NHT’s initiatives, which are designed to benefit a broad spectrum of individuals, including current contributors, mortgagors, former mortgagors, and pensioners. ‘And if for any reason they’re in a niche area and feel that none of these initiatives are somehow reaching them, [we want them] to reach out to us and let us know the kind of support that we can provide,’ Berbick told JIS News. He reiterated the NHT’s flexibility in adjusting processes and requirements to ensure that all Jamaicans receive the necessary support to recover effectively as the nation rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
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Jimmy Cliff to be accorded official funeral – Grange
The Jamaican Government has announced plans to hold an official funeral for the legendary musician Jimmy Cliff, who passed away on Monday at the age of 81. The announcement was made by Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange during a session in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers paid heartfelt tributes to the iconic artist. Cliff, born James Chambers, reportedly succumbed to pneumonia following a seizure. Grange revealed that Cliff had left specific instructions for his farewell, which will be disclosed to the public in due course. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness led the tributes, describing Cliff as ‘one of Jamaica’s greatest sons’ and a monumental figure in the nation’s music history. Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, and other prominent figures also shared their condolences, reflecting on Cliff’s profound impact on Jamaican culture. Official funerals in Jamaica are typically reserved for high-ranking officials and national heroes, underscoring the significance of this honor. The House also paid tribute to former MP Melford Brown and Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Alsion Roach Wilson, both of whom recently passed away.
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WATCH: Fire destroys several homes on Milk Lane
A devastating fire tore through Milk Lane in Denham Town, Kingston, on Tuesday afternoon, leaving several families homeless. The blaze, which erupted around 1:00 pm, originated from one of the houses and quickly engulfed surrounding structures. Fortunately, the swift intervention of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further.
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Dr Dawes questions ministry’s capacity to confirm leptospirosis cases
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dr. Alfred Dawes, the Opposition Spokesperson on Health, has expressed significant concerns regarding Jamaica’s capacity to accurately detect and monitor leptospirosis cases in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Dawes emphasized the urgent need for a robust and multifaceted approach to address the rising infections.
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Golding says Opposition being excluded from national recovery process
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Mark Golding, President of the People’s National Party (PNP), has publicly criticized the Jamaican Government for allegedly sidelining the parliamentary Opposition in critical decision-making processes related to national recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Golding emphasized that the exclusion of the Opposition threatens transparency and public confidence in the recovery measures. He clarified that the Opposition’s concerns are not politically motivated but aimed at improving the management and distribution of relief resources. Golding highlighted reports that government-funded and donor-funded relief supplies are being distributed through political representatives of the ruling party rather than through established legal channels. He argued that this practice lacks constitutional legitimacy and risks undermining equity in the response. Golding stressed the importance of including elected representatives in constituency-level decisions and called for collaboration across political lines to achieve effective solutions. He also revealed that repeated attempts to communicate with Prime Minister Andrew Holness regarding these issues have gone unanswered. Golding further commented on the Government’s introduction of legislation to establish the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), cautioning that bypassing normal procedures makes transparency even more critical. He expressed concern over the absence of the Opposition from all Cabinet-established committees, including those involving the private sector, and reiterated the Opposition’s willingness to contribute to the recovery process.
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Sleeping priest awakened and robbed
In the wake of a recent robbery at St Benedict’s RC Church in La Romaine, Trinidad and Tobago, Fr Jayson Grell has pointed to a deterioration in family values as a significant factor contributing to the surge in crime. The incident, which occurred on November 24, involved the robbery of Fr Derek Anton, 69, and a 22-year-old security guard. The criminals, dressed in dark clothing and masks, tied up both victims and ransacked the church premises, making off with cash and personal belongings. This event is part of a troubling pattern of crimes targeting clergy members in the region. Fr Grell emphasized the need for societal introspection and collective action to address the root causes of such crimes, stressing the importance of parental involvement in children’s upbringing and the reinforcement of gospel values. The Archdiocese of Port of Spain has confirmed the incident and is cooperating with the police investigation, urging prayers for the victims and all those affected by crime.