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  • Multi-agency partnership launched to strengthen Jamaica’s Hurricane recovery

    Multi-agency partnership launched to strengthen Jamaica’s Hurricane recovery

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A powerful consortium of international and local organizations has united to spearhead Jamaica’s comprehensive rehabilitation in the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact. The coalition comprises BridgePoint Foundation, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Operation Blessing, Ruka Storm Foundation, World Vision USA, and WhyNot International, all formally collaborating to reconstruct devastated communities and assist families in rebuilding their lives.

    This strategic alliance combines decades of cumulative expertise in disaster response, humanitarian aid, logistical operations, and sustainable community development. In a unified declaration, the partners emphasized their collective dedication: “Together, we are building back hope one home, one family, one community at a time.”

    BridgePoint Foundation serves as the coordinating body for this national recovery endeavor, directing objective-setting, field coordination, and maintaining constant communication among partners and community stakeholders. The foundation’s methodical, grassroots strategy is engineered to optimize each organization’s unique capabilities to provide enduring, outcome-oriented support across the island.

    Initial relief operations have already delivered nourishment, potable water, and critical supplies to over 300 affected families in Black River. Ongoing logistical coordination with NGOs and the JDF prioritizes reaching vulnerable communities including Black River, Accompong, Belmont, Montego Bay, and remote surrounding regions.

    The coalition has implemented extensive relief measures featuring shelter assistance, housing construction, and support for local enterprises. Operation Blessing emerged as a leading contributor, distributing substantial aid across multiple parishes: 90,000 hot meals, protective tarping for seven homes, structural stabilization for one school roof, 10,391 gallons of purified water, 2,000 solar lamps, 2,400 care packages, over 40,000 water bottles, and five church-based water filtration systems each producing up to 1,000 gallons daily.

    Laura Butler, Director of Operations and Strategic Relationships at BridgePoint Foundation, commended the collaborative efforts of partners, JDF, and nationwide volunteers: “It’s impossible to overstate the level of destruction our country has endured. It will take all of us—every effort, every partner, every hand—to rebuild our beautiful Jamaica. I have the privilege of working alongside these groups on the ground, and it is truly an honor to be part of this extended team that is doing wonders daily for our people.”

    Butler highlighted the inspirational resilience of Jamaican citizens, noting, “It’s also beautiful to see the Jamaicans working overtime to help those affected by the hurricane. True solidarity when it’s needed the most.”

    The United Cajun Navy has significantly contributed by shipping 200,000 ready-to-eat meals and 50,000 liters of water to the island. The organization pre-deployed search and rescue teams before Melissa’s landfall and established an incident management team, medical resources, and a primary distribution hub in St Elizabeth.

    Their continuing support includes: coordinated roof repairs for educational institutions, medical clinics, churches, and residences; creation of logistical staging areas and resource distribution points; agricultural land rehabilitation in St Elizabeth; sustenance distribution in mountainous communities near Negril and Westmoreland; assistance to Maggoty church in clearing damaged library materials and restoring shelter space; generator provisions for schools and clinics; Starlink units for emergency responders; consistent delivery of hot meals and water to isolated households; and specialized expertise in freshwater procurement.

    Collectively, these organizations have extended aid to hundreds of families across Jamaica, concentrating on severely affected and inaccessible communities. Their synchronized initiatives additionally bolster local vendors, enhance community-driven recovery programs, and expand shelter and housing construction projects.

  • Gramps Morgan completes first solo headlining US tour

    Gramps Morgan completes first solo headlining US tour

    Reggae artist Gramps Morgan has successfully concluded his inaugural headlining solo tour across the United States, a significant milestone in his decades-long career. The extensive ‘Water in My Whiskey Fall Tour’ spanned over 25 performances, reaching audiences from the Northeast to the Deep South with stops in Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. The tour culminated on November 22nd in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a special appearance by legendary dancehall artist Buju Banton, who joined Morgan for a powerful performance of their collaborative hit ’23rd Psalm’. Morgan described these shared moments with Bantu as ‘spiritual experiences,’ noting their unique on-stage chemistry that has persisted since their first performance together. The tour held special significance as a family affair, featuring Morgan’s sons Jemere and Priel as accompanying performers, symbolizing the continuation of the Morgan musical legacy. Despite previous extensive touring as part of Morgan Heritage and as an opening act for major artists, Morgan expressed particular gratitude for the opportunity to establish his solo presence in new markets, acknowledging both sold-out venues and those still building an audience. Beyond the musical achievements, Morgan addressed the impact of Hurricane Melissa on his family’s properties in St. Thomas, Jamaica, while emphasizing that damage to their farm was minimal compared to the devastation experienced in western regions of the island. Looking forward, Morgan announced his participation in a major fundraising concert on December 12th at New York’s UBS Arena, joining forces with Shaggy, Sean Paul, Inner Circle, and other artists to raise critical funds for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica through the Morgan Heritage Foundation. The organization plans to provide essential supplies including clothing, water, toiletries, and financial support for rebuilding efforts, particularly focusing on providing shelter for those affected.

  • One Love Jamaica Rebuild concert to be held this Saturday

    One Love Jamaica Rebuild concert to be held this Saturday

    South Florida’s Jamaican community and supporters are mobilizing for a major humanitarian effort this weekend as prominent gospel artists prepare for the ‘One Love Jamaica Rebuild’ benefit concert. Scheduled for Saturday at The Faith Centre in Sunrise, the event aims to generate crucial funding for recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on the Caribbean nation.

    The concert represents a collaborative initiative between humanitarian organization Dare to Care and the Consul General of Jamaica, orchestrated to address the estimated $7 billion in damages inflicted by the late October storm. Among the featured performers are gospel luminaries including Papa San, Carlene Davis, Marion Hall, Kevin Downswell, and Sharon Wiles.

    Tyrone Thompson, professionally known as Papa San, expressed profound commitment to the cause, stating: “Our hearts are in a place where we are just ready and willing to help Jamaica. I am so glad to participate and be a part of that.” The artist emphasized the transparent allocation of funds, noting that every cent raised would be directed toward relief efforts rather than performer compensation.

    Organizers have established an ambitious target of $250,000 through various fundraising mechanisms including merchandise sales, voluntary donations, and offerings. Additionally, the event will serve as a collection point for essential relief supplies, with detailed item requirements available on the official registration portal at Onelovejamaicarebuild.org.

    Despite offering free admission, the event requires advance registration to manage attendance. Consul General of Jamaica to the Southern United States Oliver Mair and Lauderhill Mayor Denise Grant are among the key figures supporting the initiative.

    Papa San appealed to collective responsibility, invoking the Jamaican proverb “one one coco full basket” to illustrate how individual contributions accumulate into meaningful support. The artist confirmed that beyond financial donations, organizers are coordinating container shipments of food and necessary supplies to ensure comprehensive assistance reaches affected communities.

  • ‘Disaster looming’: Spring Mount residents worried breakaway could be a nasty surprise

    ‘Disaster looming’: Spring Mount residents worried breakaway could be a nasty surprise

    Residents of Spring Mount in southern St James, Jamaica, are issuing urgent appeals for visible warning signage after Hurricane Melissa carved a massive 30-foot chasm through a critical section of the main highway connecting Montego Bay to Kingston. With the area still without electricity, the gaping precipice becomes virtually invisible after dark, creating an imminent lethal hazard for unsuspecting motorists.

    Local resident Nicole Heaven articulated the community’s primary fear: travelers unfamiliar with the catastrophic road damage risk plunging into the abyss. Despite residents’ improvised efforts to direct traffic, the situation remains perilous. The only vehicular detour available is through the notoriously dangerous Hampton route via Charlie Mount—a narrow, winding, and poorly lit corridor with steep drops, partial debris clearance, and frequent traffic bottlenecks that fuel driver frustration.

    Beyond the safety crisis, the infrastructure collapse has triggered severe socioeconomic repercussions. Transportation costs have doubled, with taxi fares skyrocketing from $250 to $500 JMD for the journey to Montego Bay. Elderly and medically vulnerable residents face isolation, as emergency vehicle access is now impossible. Community member ‘Bibs’ expressed additional concerns that impending rainfall could further erode the unstable terrain, expanding the chasm.

    While representatives from the National Works Agency have assessed the site, no timeline for repairs has been provided. The agency’s Community Relations Officer, Janel Ricketts, has advised residents to avoid the unstable area entirely. Currently, only pedestrian access is permitted to the Spring Mount Police Station, leaving the community grappling with both immediate danger and long-term accessibility challenges.

  • Business community pleased as cruise ships return to MoBay

    Business community pleased as cruise ships return to MoBay

    MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Jamaica’s economic revival following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa has received a significant boost with the resumption of cruise tourism operations in St. James Parish. The Carnival Liberty made its inaugural post-hurricane docking at Montego Bay’s port Wednesday, delivering hundreds of visitors to the island’s premier tourism destination.

    The arrival marks a critical milestone in Jamaica’s recovery narrative, with tourism officials and business leaders hailing the development as transformative for local commerce. Jason Russell, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the strategic importance of tourism resumption for national economic stabilization.

    “This reactivation directly benefits commercial operators throughout the parish,” Russell stated to local media. “Our comprehensive recovery fundamentally depends on restoring tourist inflows and revitalizing foreign exchange circulation.”

    The Category Five hurricane had previously dealt a severe blow to Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure, making the return of maritime visitors particularly symbolic. Industry executives note that cruise tourism uniquely supports grassroots economic participants including transportation providers, artisan vendors, retail establishments, and recreational attractions.

    Joy Roberts, Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations—the Ministry of Tourism’s cruise travel division—explained the strategic prioritization of maritime tourism during reconstruction. “Recognizing hotel capacity limitations, we focused on ensuring cruise continuity since this sector directly sustains small-scale entrepreneurs and service providers,” Roberts elaborated.

    Montego Bay’s economic ecosystem remains profoundly interconnected with tourism, which accounts for over 50% of local employment and economic activity. Industry assessments indicate that cruise companies have maintained confidence in Jamaica’s operational standards despite hurricane-related challenges.

    Russell characterized the rapid resumption as potentially “record-breaking” in post-disaster tourism recovery. “A cruise ship’s arrival isn’t discretionary—it reflects rigorous assessment of port infrastructure and destination readiness. Their presence confirms our operational compliance,” he emphasized.

    Officials specifically acknowledged the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, chaired by John Byles, for expediting the return of visitor confidence. Additional cruise arrivals are scheduled throughout the coming weeks as Jamaica progresses toward full restoration of pre-hurricane maritime tourism schedules.

    Roberts concluded that the successful return demonstrates both Jamaica’s resilience and visitors’ enduring attraction to the destination, with early ship arrivals already generating substantial pedestrian activity in tourism districts.

  • Mount Pleasant take on Dom Rep club in bid to join elite band

    Mount Pleasant take on Dom Rep club in bid to join elite band

    Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy stands on the precipice of national sporting glory as they prepare to face Dominican Republic’s O&M FC in the decisive second leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final. The historic encounter at Kingston’s National Stadium could see the St Ann-based club become just the fourth Jamaican team ever to claim regional supremacy in football.

    Having secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Santiago last Tuesday, Mount Pleasant requires only a draw to clinch the championship title. This potential victory would mark their second professional trophy following their Jamaica Premier League triumph in 2023, positioning them alongside Cavalier FC as the second Jamaican club to win the Caribbean Cup and joining the esteemed company of Harbour View FC and Portmore United as regional champions.

    Head coach Theodore Whitmore emphasized the historical significance of this moment, stating: ‘This represents the culmination of months of dedicated work from management, technical staff, and players. Our owner envisioned establishing our reputation beyond domestic competitions—we aim to become recognized throughout the Concacaf region and internationally.’

    Despite their advantageous position, Whitmore remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the persistent threat posed by O&M FC. The away-goal rule adds strategic complexity to the matchup, meaning any score from the Dominican visitors would force Mount Pleasant to secure an outright victory rather than relying on a draw. The Jamaican side has demonstrated defensive excellence throughout the tournament, conceding merely two goals across six matches.

    Whitmore revealed his tactical perspective: ‘Interestingly, I’m somewhat pleased we’re not entering this leg with a two-goal advantage. The single-goal margin maintains our competitive focus while trusting our defensive solidity and attacking capabilities.’

    The academy faces one significant lineup adjustment with Reggae Boy Demario Phillips suspended for the final. However, Whitmore expressed confidence in his squad’s depth: ‘With over thirty players available, we possess adequate coverage. While Demario will be missed, the show must continue.’

    Team captain Daniel Green articulated the emotional stakes: ‘Lifting this trophy would represent an immense achievement for local footballers. It would elevate our club’s profile internationally and attract greater talent to our organization.’

    With ninety minutes separating them from sporting immortality, Mount Pleasant Academy seeks to permanently inscribe their name in Caribbean football history.

  • ‘We were like saviours’: Jimmy Cliff’s historic performance in Apartheid era South Africa

    ‘We were like saviours’: Jimmy Cliff’s historic performance in Apartheid era South Africa

    During the height of South Africa’s Apartheid regime—a system condemned by the United Nations as a crime against humanity—the country faced global isolation as a pariah state. International entertainers, athletes, and business figures risked United Nations blacklisting for engaging with the racially segregated nation. Despite these sanctions, Jamaican reggae icon Jimmy Cliff made history in May 1980 by becoming the first Jamaican artist to perform in South Africa, undertaking a controversial two-week tour with three landmark concerts.

  • Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti’s transitional government has achieved a critical breakthrough by formally adopting a long-awaited electoral law, marking the most substantial progress toward presidential elections since 2016. This legislative move establishes the legal foundation for restoring democratic governance in the Caribbean nation following years of political instability and severe gang violence.

    The Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), established in April 2024 to steer Haiti through its crisis, approved the legislation alongside the council of ministers. Frinel Joseph, one of two non-voting observers on the nine-member council, characterized the development as “a decisive turning point in the transition” through his official social media communication on Monday.

    Despite this procedural advancement, the adoption process revealed significant internal divisions. Three of the council’s seven voting members deliberately absented themselves from the crucial meeting in an apparent attempt to block the legislation’s passage. Their absence failed to prevent adoption, though the law must still be published in Haiti’s official gazette to attain full legal status.

    The TPC faces mounting challenges beyond internal discord. Some members allegedly seek to leverage the electoral timeline to extend their authority beyond the February 2026 transition deadline and remove incumbent Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have expressed concerns about the legislation’s insufficient eligibility safeguards, citing criticisms of the draft proposal circulated before Monday’s vote.

    Haiti’s last presidential election occurred in 2016 when Jovenel Moïse achieved victory among 27 candidates. His July 2021 assassination—which injured his wife and involved former Colombian soldiers—remains unresolved in Haitian courts despite ongoing proceedings in the United States.

    Political analysts caution that while the electoral law constitutes necessary progress, Haiti’s path to legitimate elections remains fraught with institutional challenges and security obstacles that could undermine democratic restoration.

  • Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Beyond the visible wreckage of toppled trees and flooded streets, hurricanes leave a more insidious threat lurking within Jamaica’s food supply chain. The period following severe weather creates a perfect storm for contamination, where floodwaters carrying sewage and chemicals combine with power outages that compromise refrigeration systems. These conditions create critical vulnerabilities in kitchens, warehouses, and distribution centers across the island.

    Dr. Roy McNeil, Chief Food Storage Officer of Jamaica’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), emphasizes that food safety standards transform from routine practice to urgent public health necessity following hurricanes. The division activates its Inspectorate and Disinfestation Unit, deploying teams to assess food facilities across affected parishes while leveraging five specialized laboratories for scientific analysis of potential contaminants.

    The immediate 24-72 hour window after a storm proves most critical. Dr. McNeil advises that safety begins with structural assessments and hazard elimination before any food evaluation. Refrigeration failures demand particular attention—perishable items left unrefrigerated beyond safe time limits must be discarded regardless of appearance or smell, as dangerous pathogens like E. coli and salmonella don’t affect sensory qualities.

    Floodwater contact necessitates immediate disposal of affected food items, including dry goods in non-waterproof packaging. Porous materials like cardboard and wooden utensils typically cannot be salvaged due to deep microbial penetration. While undamaged factory-sealed metal cans might be saved through rigorous cleaning, the governing principle remains: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

    The recovery phase introduces complex pest management challenges as flooding displaces rodents and insects toward human habitats. The FSPI Act defines infestation broadly and mandates specific structural protections—water-resistant surfaces, mesh-sealed ventilation, and properly fitted drains—to exclude pests during rebuilding. The division advocates for non-chemical control methods where possible and requires strict adherence to regulations when pesticides are necessary.

    FSPID inspectors maintain vigilant oversight throughout recovery, examining warehouses, retail establishments, and transport vehicles with authority to detain, seize, or destroy compromised products. This multilayered approach—combining regulatory enforcement, scientific analysis, and public education—forms Jamaica’s defensive barrier against post-hurricane foodborne illness outbreaks, ensuring the nation’s food remains safe and nourishing despite climatic challenges.

  • Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    BELMOPAN, Belize — In a landmark moment for Central American politics, Tracy Taegar-Panton has been formally inaugurated as the first woman to lead Belize’s primary opposition force, the United Democratic Party (UDP). This historic appointment signals a strategic pivot for the party as it endeavors to heal internal fractures and reestablish its political standing.

    Addressing the significance of her new role, Taegar-Panton stated, ‘The magnitude of the responsibility does not escape me. While I am profoundly excited for both Belize and the party, I approach this with sober reflection. This reset is imperative, presenting a crucial opportunity to rebuild and restore public trust and confidence.’

    Her ascension to the leadership culminates a period of intense internal conflict and legal disputes with former party leader Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. The power struggle led to Taegar-Panton establishing the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP and involved a court battle that initially favored Barrow. Nevertheless, Barrow facilitated what he described as a ‘peaceful’ transfer of power, publicly offering his prayers for her success in guiding the party back to government.

    The political shift also marks the return of former leader John Saldivar to the UDP fold. Saldivar, who briefly led the party in 2020 before resigning amid allegations connecting him to an international fraud and money laundering case involving convicted criminal Lev Dermen, asserts his experience is vital for party reunification. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating, ‘The people know me, they know what I’m about. There have been some unfortunate circumstances which I believe have been explained.’

    Taegar-Panton’s political trajectory has been groundbreaking. After securing her seat in the March general elections—a contest Barrow lost—she subsequently became Belize’s first female Leader of the Opposition. In her capacity as UDP Political Leader, she has committed to initiating a fresh start and articulating a bold, forward-looking vision for the nation’s future.