In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica’s south-western coast on October 28, the Government is rolling out innovative strategies to mitigate significant learning loss among students. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon unveiled the ‘Host School Model,’ a temporary solution enabling students from non-operational schools to continue their education in functioning institutions while remaining officially enrolled in their original schools. This initiative aims to preserve educational continuity without formal transfers, addressing the cultural and logistical challenges of transitioning between schools.
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Precaution, not panic
Jamaica is grappling with a leptospirosis outbreak following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton confirmed the outbreak on Friday, attributing it to the flooding and unsanitary conditions left by the Category 5 hurricane, which struck the island on October 28. The bacterial disease, transmitted through contaminated water, soil, or food, has already claimed six lives, with 87 suspected, probable, and confirmed cases reported since 2024. Of these, 37 cases emerged post-Melissa, with 10 confirmed and six deaths linked to the hurricane. St. James Parish, particularly Montego Bay, has been the hardest hit, recording 17 cases and four deaths. Other affected areas include St. Ann, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, and Westmoreland. National epidemiologist Dr. Karen Webster Kerr emphasized that leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, thrives in floodwaters contaminated by animal urine, particularly from rats, livestock, and pets. The disease, which mimics symptoms of influenza, meningitis, and dengue, is treatable but can lead to severe complications affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie urged the public to take preventive measures, including wearing protective gear during cleanup activities and seeking medical attention for severe symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, or respiratory distress. Health officials are also encouraging blood donations to support critically ill patients. While the outbreak poses a significant public health risk, authorities are calling for calm and proactive measures to curb its spread.
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Miss Mexico wins Miss Universe
In a night filled with unexpected twists and controversies, Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch emerged victorious at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant held in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The event, one of the world’s most prestigious beauty competitions, saw Bosch triumph over contestants from Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand, and Venezuela, who were selected from over 120 participants. However, the road to her coronation was anything but smooth. The pageant was marred by a series of dramatic incidents, including a walkout by Bosch after she was publicly criticized by Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil. The confrontation occurred during a livestreamed meeting where Nawat accused Bosch of failing to promote the event on her social media accounts. Bosch, supported by Miss Iraq, left the room after Nawat called for security, sparking a moment of solidarity among other contestants. Bosch later addressed the media, stating, ‘What your director did is not respectful: He called me dumb. The world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice.’ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Bosch as an ‘example of how we women should speak out’ in the face of aggression. Nawat later apologized and congratulated Bosch during a press conference. The pageant also faced allegations of rigging, with two judges resigning, one claiming an ‘illegitimate vote’ had taken place. Additionally, Miss Britain Danielle Latimer tripped during the costume round, and Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalized after falling off the stage during the evening gown showcase. Despite the chaos, Bosch expressed her desire to be remembered as ‘a Miss Universe that wasn’t afraid to be herself’ and someone who ‘changed, a little bit, the prototype of what is a Miss Universe.’
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First mud, now dust
Montego Bay, St James, is facing a dual environmental crisis following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. While the hurricane left behind significant flooding and debris, the city is now contending with a severe dust problem as the deposited silt dries up. Mayor Richard Vernon addressed the issue during a press conference on Thursday, highlighting the health risks posed by the pervasive dust clouds. He urged residents to wear masks and outlined measures to mitigate the issue, including wetting the ground and extensive washing of affected areas. The cleanup effort has already removed 1,636 truckloads of debris from hard-hit communities like Catherine Hall and Westgreen. Vernon emphasized the use of bleach and sanitizers to minimize health risks and expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), for their assistance in the recovery process. Despite speculation about CHEC’s role in the flooding, Vernon called for a proper assessment by the National Works Agency (NWA) and acknowledged CHEC’s contributions to the cleanup. The scale of the task is immense, with over 3,500 residents and 1,300 households affected. The mayor remains committed to restoring the city to a state of sanitation and safety.
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SPEID’S THE MAN!
In a decisive move to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has appointed Rudolph Speid as the interim head coach of the Reggae Boyz. The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting at the JFF headquarters in Kingston on Friday, attended by President Michael Ricketts, Vice-Presidents Elaine Walker-Brown and Gregory Daley, and Acting General Manager Omar McFarlane. Speid, who currently chairs the JFF’s technical committee, will assume his new role on December 15, while negotiations with Miguel Coley, a former assistant coach, are ongoing for a supporting position. Coley, currently with Zakho Sports Club in Iraq, has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the national team. The coaching shakeup follows Steve McClaren’s resignation after Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Curacao, which dashed their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification. The Reggae Boyz will now face New Caledonia in the inter-confederation play-offs in March, with the winner advancing to play the Democratic Republic of Congo for a World Cup spot. Ricketts emphasized the urgency of the appointment, stating that Speid and Coley were the ideal candidates to ‘hit the track running.’ Speid, a three-time Jamaica Premier League champion with Cavalier FC, brings a wealth of regional success and a Concacaf ‘A’ license to the role. Despite scrutiny over his multiple positions within the JFF, Ricketts confirmed that Speid will take a leave of absence from his other duties to focus on coaching. Coley, who previously assisted Winfried Schafer, has a proven track record, including guiding Jamaica College to numerous schoolboy titles and holding assistant managerial roles in the Middle East. Both coaches are determined to lead Jamaica to their second World Cup appearance.
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Gang Suppression Force threatens bandits in Haiti
In a determined effort to restore stability in Haiti, Kenyan forces, under the leadership of FSP Commander Godfrey Otunge, have ramped up intelligence-driven operations and continuous patrols across critical regions. Otunge emphasized that these initiatives are designed to send a resolute message: the unchecked dominance of criminal gangs is coming to an end. Through strategic and visible actions, the mission aims to dismantle gang networks and reclaim security for Haitian communities. The FSP has implemented a multi-faceted security strategy, leveraging resources across land, sea, and air to ensure comprehensive coverage. Otunge reiterated the ultimate objective: to foster peace, safeguard vulnerable populations, and guarantee that every Haitian can live free from fear, with their fundamental human rights fully protected. The Kenyan official affirmed that joint operations will persist without interruption until all criminal entities are eradicated and neutralized.
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Woman Detained After Urging Venezuela to Attack T&T PM’s Residence
A Trinidadian woman, Olive Green-Jack, has been detained following allegations that she urged the Venezuelan government to target the residence of Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The incident stems from a social media post in which Green-Jack shared a photo of one of the Prime Minister’s residences and called for Venezuelan action against it. Authorities issued a detention order on November 12, citing her comments as a severe threat to national security and public safety. This development follows Venezuela’s declaration of Persad-Bissessar as persona non grata in October, a response to her support for U.S. naval exercises near Venezuelan waters, which Caracas viewed as a violation of its sovereignty. Green-Jack is currently being held at the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s Prison. The case has raised concerns about potential external influences inciting violence within the country.
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Kazakhstan suspends application of Conventional Armed Forces Treaty
The President of Kazakhstan has announced that the nation’s decision regarding the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) will be formally communicated across the country’s information and legal systems. This development comes in the wake of Russia’s recent withdrawal from the treaty, which has significant implications for regional security dynamics. The CFE, initially signed in 1990 and enforced in 1992, was designed to limit conventional weapons and equipment across five key categories: tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery, attack helicopters, and combat aircraft. It also established mechanisms for verifying compliance, including information sharing and inspections. Despite amendments in 1997, NATO members chose not to ratify the updated version, instead adhering to the original 1990 provisions to maintain the balance between NATO and the former Warsaw Pact. On May 29, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin formalized Moscow’s exit from the CFE, marking a pivotal shift in the treaty’s future and raising questions about its continued relevance in the current geopolitical landscape.
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Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe following insult from organizer
In a dramatic turn of events, Fatima Bosch of Mexico has been crowned the new Miss Universe, capping off a pageant marred by controversy and tension. The competition, held in Thailand, was overshadowed by a heated confrontation between Bosch and Nawat Itsaragrisil, the head of Miss Universe Thailand. The incident reportedly began during a meeting where Nawat publicly criticized Bosch for insufficient social media promotion of the host nation, escalating when he allegedly called her ‘dumb.’ This sparked outrage, leading Bosch and several other contestants to walk out in protest. The fallout extended further as two judges, former Chelsea footballer Claude Makelele and musician Omar Harfouch, resigned. Harfouch accused the competition of being rigged, adding to the turmoil. Amid these controversies, the pageant continued, with Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh and Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali securing the runner-up and third-place positions, respectively. Despite the drama, Bosch’s victory marked a triumphant conclusion to a contentious event.
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Cabinet Orders 30-Day Ultimatum for Idle Farmlands
In a decisive move to enhance national food security, the Cabinet has mandated that all leased farmlands left unused must be brought into production within 30 days or face reassignment to active farmers. This directive, announced by Cabinet spokesman Maurice Merchant during Friday’s post-Cabinet briefing, underscores the government’s urgency to boost domestic agricultural output amidst growing geopolitical tensions in regional waters. Merchant emphasized that the initiative is not punitive but a necessary step to mitigate the risks posed by the country’s heavy reliance on food imports, which account for approximately 90% of the food supply. The government is particularly concerned about potential disruptions to shipping routes due to military activities involving Venezuela and the United States in nearby waters. To enforce the directive, the Ministry of Agriculture’s dedicated unit will monitor compliance, inspect leased plots, and report findings to senior officials and Minister Anthony Smith, who will oversee enforcement. In addition to reclaiming idle land, the Cabinet has instructed the ministry to accelerate support measures for active farmers, including fencing to prevent theft, expanded nursery production, wider seedling distribution, new wells and dams, improved farm lighting, better access roads, and fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk. The government also plans to engage with farmers weekly, starting with a meeting next week, as part of its broader strategy to strengthen domestic food resilience and ensure the nation is better equipped to withstand external shocks.