In response to the impending Tropical Storm Melissa, Jamaica’s public healthcare system has activated emergency protocols, effective from 4:00 pm on Thursday. Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton announced the measures during a press briefing at Jamaica House earlier in the day. Under the emergency mode, all public hospitals will remain operational, but outpatient services and elective surgeries will be temporarily suspended to prioritize emergency care. Additionally, visitation rights will be restricted, and families are urged to collect relatives admitted for non-critical conditions to free up bed space for potential emergencies. Dr. Tufton emphasized the need to conserve resources, stating, ‘We have to reserve bed space just in case we need them for emergencies.’ The government plans to provide further updates on the status of health centers on Friday.
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UTC signs eKYC agreement with NPIC-TT, TSTT
In a landmark move towards digital modernization, Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled NOBIS, a national electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) platform. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), the National Payment and Innovation Company of TT (NPIC-TT), and the Telecommunications Services of TT (TSTT), was formalized through a recent agreement signing ceremony. The platform, developed locally by NPIC-TT’s Innovative Centre, aims to revolutionize identity verification and account onboarding processes by replacing traditional manual methods with a secure, efficient, and paperless system. UTC will be the first entity to implement NOBIS for digital onboarding, reflecting its commitment to customer convenience and trust. TSTT will provide the necessary telecommunications and cloud infrastructure to ensure a seamless national rollout. Dawn Nelson, Vice President of the Innovative Centre, emphasized the system’s scalability and security, underscoring its local development as a testament to Trinidad and Tobago’s technological capabilities. Beyond financial services, NOBIS will be extended free of charge to government ministries and state agencies, enabling a unified digital identity for services such as passport renewals, driver’s license updates, and government fee payments. This initiative positions Trinidad and Tobago as a regional leader in secure and inclusive digital services, setting the stage for a fully digital future.
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#EyeOnMelissa: TMC prepares to relocate Trelawny Infirmary residents to shelter
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa looms, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable residents, particularly those at the Trelawny Infirmary. Located near Falmouth’s coastline, the infirmary is highly susceptible to storm surges and powerful winds, prompting authorities to relocate its 54 residents to a secure shelter at Hague Primary and Infant School. This precautionary action mirrors last year’s response to Hurricane Beryl, which forced an extended stay at the same shelter due to severe damage to the infirmary. Mayor of Falmouth and TMC Chairman, Councillor C Junior Gager, emphasized the readiness of 42 parish-wide shelters, managed by a dedicated team of 68 shelter managers. Gager assured that all relevant agencies are fully engaged, with shelters operational and staff prepared for the impending storm. Additionally, provisions have been made for the homeless population, who will find temporary refuge at the Falmouth drop-in center until the storm subsides.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Airports to close if hurricane watch upgraded to warning
Jamaica’s two major international airports, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, are bracing for potential closure within 24 hours if the current hurricane watch escalates to a hurricane warning. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz clarified this during a media briefing at Jamaica House on Thursday, emphasizing that the decision hinges on official advisories from the Meteorological Office. While both airports remain operational for now, their closure would depend on the storm’s trajectory and proximity to their coastal locations. The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) has already activated emergency protocols, with MBJ Airports Limited and PACKAL implementing pre-hurricane measures such as drainage clearing, generator testing, and securing assets. Vaz assured the public that reopening would be expedited once safety is confirmed, with updates disseminated through official channels, social media, and airline coordination.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Westmoreland in state of readiness as tropical storm approaches
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches the island, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy, has assured residents that Westmoreland is fully prepared to face the impending weather system. In an interview with JIS News, Delancy emphasized the coordinated efforts of the municipal corporation, which has been working closely with the Disaster Preparedness Department, key agencies, and shelter managers to ensure all necessary measures are in place.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Preparations intensify in St Ann for tropical storm
As Tropical Storm Melissa looms over Jamaica, potentially escalating into a hurricane, St. Ann’s Bay Mayor Michael Belnavis has announced that all government agencies are in active dialogue to bolster preparedness efforts. With the island under both a tropical storm and hurricane watch, state agencies remain on high alert, ready to address any eventualities. Mayor Belnavis emphasized the immediate priority of securing municipal assets, including critical documents and properties, while ensuring the safety of vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly.
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Venezuela defence minister vows any CIA operation against country ‘will fail’
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino issued a stern warning on Thursday, asserting that any covert operations by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against his nation would be unsuccessful. This statement came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent authorization of clandestine CIA activities targeting Venezuela. Padrino emphasized that while the CIA’s presence in the country is acknowledged, any attempts to destabilize Venezuela through covert means would be met with failure. Trump’s decision to greenlight such operations follows his earlier announcement of considering strikes against alleged drug cartels on land, complementing an ongoing maritime campaign against suspected drug-trafficking vessels. The escalating tensions between the two nations underscore the deepening geopolitical rift, with Venezuela firmly positioning itself against perceived U.S. interference.
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Fitch upgrades Sagicor’s investment rating
Sagicor Financial Company Ltd has achieved a significant milestone as global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings elevated its long-term issuer default rating from BBB- to BBB. Additionally, the company’s senior unsecured debt rating was upgraded from BB+ to BBB-. Fitch also assigned Sagicor a ‘stable’ outlook, reflecting confidence in the company’s financial health. The upgrade was attributed to Sagicor’s improved core profitability, consolidated contributions from its Canadian subsidiary ivari over the past two years, reduced debt financing costs, and a robust capitalisation profile. Fitch further affirmed ivari’s financial strength rating at A-, maintaining a stable outlook. Andre Mousseau, Sagicor’s President and CEO, expressed satisfaction with the upgrade, emphasizing its validation of the company’s strong capitalisation and its alignment with stable and profitable growth strategies. He noted that the enhanced rating would improve Sagicor’s access to capital and support the execution of its strategic initiatives. Founded over 180 years ago, Sagicor is a leading financial services provider headquartered in Barbados, offering a diverse portfolio of products and services, including life, health, and general insurance, banking, pensions, annuities, investment management, and real estate across the Caribbean.
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Bangladesh win ODI series 2-1 as Windies rolled over
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy expressed deep disappointment following his team’s 2-1 One-Day International (ODI) series defeat to Bangladesh. The series, held at the Shere-e-Bangla Stadium in Bangladesh, highlighted the West Indies’ inability to adapt to spin-friendly conditions, culminating in a crushing 179-run loss in the final match on October 23. Chasing a formidable target of 297, the West Indies were bowled out for a mere 117 in 30.1 overs, with Akeal Hosein, batting at number ten, emerging as the top scorer with 27 runs. Bangladesh’s spin quartet—Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, and Mehidy Miraz—dominated the proceedings, collectively claiming all ten wickets. Sammy lamented his team’s lack of consistency and skill, particularly in handling spin, and acknowledged Bangladesh’s superior performance. Despite the challenging pitch conditions, Sammy refused to use them as an excuse, emphasizing the need for better mindset and temperament. Bangladesh’s openers, Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan, set the tone with a 176-run partnership, propelling their team to a commanding total. The teams will now shift focus to a three-match T20 series starting on October 27.
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No increase for HDC homes despite budget cut
Despite a significant reduction in the Housing Ministry’s budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, Minister David Lee has assured the public that the cost of government homes will remain unchanged. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on October 23, Lee revealed that the ministry’s allocation had been reduced from $750 million in 2024 to $600 million, marking a 20% decrease. However, he emphasized that this cut would not hinder the ministry’s ability to fulfill its housing commitments. Lee attributed this confidence to a strategic shift toward public-private partnerships, which aims to diversify funding sources and reduce reliance on government guarantees or loans. Over the past five months, Lee has collaborated with the Ministers of Finance and Planning to secure international funding, ensuring the sustainability of housing projects. When questioned about potential increases in housing costs due to this new model, Lee firmly denied the possibility, stating, ‘We will be much more efficient. There was a lot of wastage under the previous government, but I will be running a very tight ship.’ He also promised citizens greater value for money, criticizing the previous administration for failing to deliver on this promise. Lee expressed frustration at not being able to fully contribute to the parliamentary debate, hinting at undisclosed information regarding contracts and past housing arrangements. He also criticized the opposition’s lack of depth in their questioning during the Standing Finance Committee deliberations, which are expected to conclude by October 25.