The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has issued a stark warning about the economic fallout from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that ravaged the island late last month. The catastrophic damage is expected to reverse recent economic gains, spike unemployment, and significantly reduce GDP, potentially plunging the nation into a recession in the coming quarters. Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the PIOJ, described the short- to medium-term economic outlook as ‘generally negative,’ projecting an 11-13% contraction in the current October-December quarter and an overall decline of 3-6% for fiscal year 2025/26. ‘The impacts of Hurricane Melissa are unprecedented, and the country must brace for a recession,’ Henry stated during the institute’s quarterly press briefing on Tuesday. A recession, typically marked by two or more consecutive quarters of declining GDP, often brings rising unemployment, reduced business investment, and lower consumer spending. This grim forecast follows a period of economic recovery after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which the PIOJ had previously dismissed as a recession risk. However, the scale of Melissa’s destruction has forced a reassessment. James Stewart, Senior Director in the Economic Planning and Research Division, noted that economic growth is unlikely to return until late 2026, with a downturn expected for the next three to four quarters. The storm’s historic devastation has severely damaged residential and productive assets, wiping out an estimated 41% of Jamaica’s GDP. Key industries such as Agriculture, Tourism, Information and Communication, and Construction are among the hardest hit. Agriculture, in particular, faces severe challenges, as the seven most affected parishes account for 74% of domestic crop production and major livestock operations. Tourism, responsible for 90% of the island’s hotel room stock, has been crippled by temporary closures, reduced capacity, and a US Level 3 Travel Advisory. Preliminary data for October already shows an 18% drop in visitor arrivals. Infrastructure damage, halted capital projects, and curtailed transportation services further exacerbate the economic strain. Henry emphasized that while the projections are dire, they remain fluid and could change with new information. Recovery to pre-hurricane levels is conservatively estimated to take 3-5 years, given the extensive loss of productive assets. The PIOJ, supported by international partners, aims to complete its damage and loss assessment by mid-December. Despite a strong July-September quarter driven by election-related spending, tourism, and sports events, the economic outlook remains bleak. Agriculture had shown remarkable growth of 23.9% earlier in the year, but Melissa’s impact has erased these gains. For the first nine months of 2025, real GDP grew by 2.4%, supported by increases in the Goods Producing and Services Industries. However, the road to recovery will be long and arduous, requiring swift and effective humanitarian and economic recovery initiatives.
标签： Jamaica
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JYAN urges strong protection measures for women and girls post — Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is calling on national stakeholders to focus on the safety and protection of women and girls. This appeal comes shortly after the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (IDEVAW) on Tuesday. JYAN emphasizes that while the entire nation grapples with the aftermath of the disaster, women and children face heightened risks of violence and abuse.
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UPDATE: Five dead, 15 injured in toll road crash
A devastating accident on the PJ Patterson Highway in Jamaica has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, with 15 others requiring medical attention. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 3:00 pm, involving a Toyota Hiace bus that was operating as a public passenger vehicle. The bus, traveling eastbound, reportedly suffered a tyre blowout, causing it to collide with a guard rail and overturn into a ditch just before the Vineyard Toll Booth. Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Council, provided preliminary details, emphasizing the severity of the crash and the ongoing investigation into whether excessive speed contributed to the tragedy. This incident has brought the total number of road fatalities in Jamaica this year to 342, marking a significant setback in the nation’s road safety efforts. Dr. Jones has called for heightened caution among motorists, urging adherence to speed limits and the enforcement of the Road Traffic Act, including the merit point system, to deter reckless driving. The police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the loss of lives and reflects on the critical importance of road safety.
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Stick Figure lands sixth Billboard-charting album with Free Flow Sessions
California-based reggae band Stick Figure has once again made waves in the music industry, securing its sixth title on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Their latest release, *Free Flow Sessions*, debuted at an impressive #2. The album, which dropped on November 14 via Ruffwood Records, features 12 tracks, including six brand-new compositions. These tracks, such as *Moon Palace*, *Walking in My Shoes*, and *Fools Gold*, showcase the band’s signature dub-style reggae beats, with many tracks being remixed, extended, and reimagined. Stick Figure’s journey to the top began in 2009 with *Smoke Stack*, which peaked at #8. Since then, their subsequent albums—*Burial Ground* (2012), *Set in Stone* (2015), *World On Fire* (2019), and *Wisdom* (2022)—have all claimed the #1 spot. Notably, *World On Fire*, *Set in Stone*, and *Wisdom* continue to hold positions on the latest chart at #5, #7, and #8, respectively. Meanwhile, Bob Marley and the Wailers maintain their legendary status with *Legend*, logging 306 non-consecutive weeks at #1. Other notable entries include Shaggy’s *Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection* at #3 and Sean Paul’s *Dutty Classics Collection* at #4. The reggae scene remains vibrant, with artists like Vybz Kartel making their mark on various Billboard charts, while regional charts highlight the enduring appeal of reggae across the U.S. and Canada.
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Men charged in 1800-pound ganja case to return to court in January
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Three individuals implicated in a significant narcotics bust involving 1,890 pounds of ganja are set to face further legal proceedings in January 2026. Patrick Branford, Leon Hines, and Naman Banton appeared before Parish Judge Paula Blake Powell on Tuesday. Notably, Hines remains in custody as his bail application is still pending. The trio was allegedly intercepted by the Firearms and Narcotics Division on August 15 while attempting to transport the compressed ganja to one of Jamaica’s ports of entry. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to export ganja, possession of criminal property, trafficking, dealing in ganja, and preparatory steps to export the substance. The prosecution highlighted that a forensic certificate related to the seized drugs is still pending, prompting the court to schedule the next hearing for case management on January 6, 2026.
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Mbappe hits four as Real Madrid hold off Olympiacos in thriller
In a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday, Kylian Mbappe delivered a masterclass performance, scoring all four goals as Real Madrid edged past Olympiacos 4-3 in Piraeus, Greece. The victory marked a crucial turnaround for Madrid, ending a three-match winless streak across all competitions. Olympiacos initially took the lead with a stunning 20-yard strike from Chiquinho, but Mbappe swiftly took center stage, becoming the competition’s top scorer this season. The French captain equalized in the 22nd minute with a precise finish, followed by a header two minutes later and a hat-trick goal just six minutes and 42 seconds after his first—the second fastest in Champions League history. Substitute Mehdi Taremi briefly revived Olympiacos’ hopes with a header, but Mbappe sealed the win with his fourth goal, assisted by Vinicius Junior. Despite a late goal from Ayoub El Kaabi, Madrid held on to secure their fourth win in five Champions League matches. Coach Xabi Alonso praised the team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of breaking their losing streak. Madrid now sit fifth in the standings, with crucial fixtures against Manchester City, Monaco, and Benfica ahead.
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Motorists advised to expect delays in Hanover
Residents and commuters in Lucea, Hanover, are being cautioned about potential traffic disruptions as the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) undertakes essential post-planting and rewiring operations along Church Street and Seaview Drive. The utility company issued a public advisory on Wednesday, urging motorists to adhere to traffic directives and prepare for minor delays while navigating the affected routes. The infrastructure upgrades are part of JPS’s ongoing efforts to enhance electrical systems in the region. Authorities have assured the public that updates will be provided as the work progresses. Drivers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly to minimize inconvenience during this period.
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Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the media mogul and co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, over allegations of fraud amounting to $930,000. The South Bangkok Civil Court issued the warrant on Tuesday after a plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of fraud and withholding critical information when persuading him to invest in her company, JKN Global Group, in 2023. The court stated that Jakapong allegedly invited the plaintiff to invest despite knowing she could not repay the funds within the agreed timeframe. The verdict in the 30 million baht ($930,000) case was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but Jakapong failed to appear, prompting the court to interpret her absence as a potential attempt to flee. The verdict has now been rescheduled to December 26. Local media reports suggest Jakapong may have traveled to Mexico amid rumors of escalating financial troubles. The Miss Universe Organisation has clarified that these legal proceedings are unrelated to its operations. This development follows a tumultuous Miss Universe 2025 event in Bangkok, which was marred by controversies, including a public altercation between the host and the eventual winner, Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch. The host faced backlash for allegedly calling Bosch ‘dumb,’ leading to a walkout. Jakapong’s JKN Global Group acquired the Miss Universe pageant in 2022 for $20 million but later sold half its stake to a Mexican firm. In 2024, JKN shares were delisted from the Stock Exchange of Thailand due to financial irregularities.
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Liverpool humbled again as Arsenal down Bayern in Champions League
The UEFA Champions League delivered a night of high drama and unexpected results, with Liverpool’s woes deepening, Arsenal making a statement, and Kylian Mbappe stealing the spotlight. Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield marked their ninth loss in 12 games across all competitions, piling pressure on manager Arne Slot. PSV capitalized on defensive errors, with Guus Til and Couhaib Driouech sealing the victory after an early penalty by Ivan Perisic. Slot admitted the disappointment but praised his team’s first-half response. Meanwhile, Arsenal ended Bayern Munich’s unbeaten run with a commanding 3-1 win, moving to the top of the 36-team table. Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the Gunners, who maintained their perfect record in the competition. In Paris, PSG overcame Tottenham in an eight-goal thriller, with Vitinha scoring a hat-trick in a 5-3 victory. Kylian Mbappe was the star of the night, netting four goals as Real Madrid edged Olympiacos 4-3. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid snatched a late win against Inter Milan, while Atalanta and Pafos secured notable results in their respective matches.
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Dominica to commission geothermal power plant in December
The government of Dominica has announced the commissioning of its 10-megawatt geothermal power plant next month, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy sector. Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre revealed that commercial operations are set to commence in the first week of March 2026, positioning the facility as a cornerstone in reducing energy costs and enhancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure.